With the 2013 Seoul Conference on Cyberspace just 50 days away to be held between October 17 and 18, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a launching ceremony of its SNS supporters group called “Cybuddy” on August 28.

Cybuddy, a compound word from cyber and buddy, will provide information on the Seoul conference in an easy and friendly way via social networking services (SNS) for people all around the world.

The supporters group consists of around 100 Koreans and foreigners in their 20s residing in the nation who will be involved in a variety of activities to promote the upcoming conference.

The supporters’ activities are expected to raise people’s awareness of the cyber conference.

At the ceremony, Korea.net talked to Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se to learn more about the 2013 Seoul Conference on Cyberspace.

Q1. Tell us more about the background behind the upcoming cyberspace conference.

Amid rapid development of information and communication technology, cyberspace has emerged as a place where people can get opportunities and benefits. We are now living in the imaginary “cyberspace” from the sci-fi novel Neuromancer written by American novelist William Gibson in 1984 long before the Internet became common.

The line between cyberspace and reality is getting more and more blurred. The fact is that 16 percent of our economy depends on the Internet and the networking system serves as a platform to interconnect us with families, friends, and neighbors in other parts of the world.

On the flip side, we are vulnerable to crimes and threats in cyberspace, like in reality, too. There are a rising number of cyber crimes taking place in many parts of the world, such as information leaks caused by hackers. Major infrastructure for communications, finance, and energy is at high risk to such cyber attacks.

In that sense, international cooperation is now desperately needed to make cyberspace free of threats and crimes and a better, safer place.

Q2. What does the Seoul conference mean to us?

Seoul is the third host of this conference following London and Hungary. This will offer a chance for representatives from governments, international organizations, civic groups, and enterprises from around 90 countries to look closely at the current state of cyberspace and discuss ways to solve cyber-related issues.

I believe this will be a great opportunity to call our attention to the importance of international cooperation in dealing with such issues and help find ways to put in place future international regulations.

Q3. The major users are the young generation. Do you have anything to say to those young cybernauts?

In cyberspace, they are today’s driving force and tomorrow’s future planners whose passions and creativity are the biggest force to shape our future.

Armed with high-level knowledge about IT, our young generation has high potential to lead the world. I call on them to be actively part of global efforts to make cyberspace more trustful and peaceful.