Article from Yonhap:



South Korea Cedes #1 Position in Information Communications to Denmark

The UN-affiliated ITU (International Telecommunication Union) announced its Information Communications Technology Development Index on November 24th, Korea time. Out of the 166 countries surveyed, South Korea was in the second rank behind Denmark.

According to the annual ITU report from Geneva Switzerland, South Korea’s 2013 IDI index came to 8.85 points, just 0.01 point behind Denmark. The previous year, South Korea was in the first place ranking with 8.81 points and Denmark following close behind with 8.78 points.

This time around, European nations occupied the top rankings; Sweden in 3rd, Iceland in 4th, and England in 5th. Heading over to Asia, Hong Kong was ranked 9th. This was the highest ranking for an Asian nation apart from South Korea. Japan came in at 11th, and China at 86th. The United States were ranked 14th, and in dead last was the Central African Republic. North Korea was not included in the index and is not an ITU member nation.

The IDI evaluation measures internet and cellular phone usage and accessibility, as well as ICT [Information Communications Technology] usage levels.

The report states, “Currently there are more than 3 billion internet users, and ICT is growing steadily.” However there are still 4.3 billion people who are unable to gain access to the internet. Of these, 90% are living in developing countries. Yet, internet growth in those countries is at 8.7% – 3.3% higher than in developed nations. The report also cited that the cellular phone count worldwide this year is estimated at 7 billion, closing in on the same number as the total worldwide population.

Comments from Naver:

bong****

Would you please lower cell phone service prices?

jayg****

Isn’t this what we expected? It’s not all about speed, improve the quality too!

lees****

This doesn’t really seem like a big deal. It’s just that we lost 1st place.

chbb****

If they’re gonna follow let ’em follow. Megapass.

doqj****

Isn’t this what we expected to happen. tsk tsk

equu****

#1 in voice phishing! keke #1 in personal info leaks too!

ikea****

Yeah not surprised. Threw away so much money on *some dirt. [*This is a reference to the Four Rivers Project]

ange****

Well I guess when I download porno torrents there’s a lot of Danish flags.

snow****

It’s alright to lose 1st place. Even at 2nd or 3rd place it’s already really convenient. Let’s try to lower the service fees instead.

hitr****