Russia’s Digital Economy Policy and Korea-Russia Cooperation

Abstract

Currently, the trend of digitalization is accelerating around the world. The Russian government, like other major countries, considers the digital economy policy as a key national task. In this context the Russian government is preparing concrete implementation programs. For example, ‘the National Technology Initiative’ (NTI) was adopted in April 2016 and ‘Technet Roadmap 2035’ set up in February 2017. Russia’s digital transformation in the 4th term of Putin’s power is a key issue. This can have a great impact on fundamental improvement of the Russian economic structure and strengthening of industrial competitiveness at the global level. However, Russia’s digital economy policy faces significant challenges. In other words, Russia is facing certain restrictions on technological exchanges with Western advanced countries due to the West's continued economic sanctions against Russia after the Ukraine crisis in 2014. Meanwhile, the development of quaternary industries is one of the major pillars on which Korea has established its new economic development policy. The government has actively pursued international cooperation in these fields. Against this backdrop, cooperation in the digital economy between Korea and Russia is both feasible and likely to contribute to sustainable relations.