[Phoenix Korea]Phoenix Korea is serializing the column "4th Industrial Story" by Hwang Sung-pil, the head of 'AILBR' (an AI consulting research institute partnering with Seoul National University for the development of Korea-China exchanges in the Fourth Industrial Revolution) and the legal advisor for Phoenix Korea.
The column will cover the development of Korea’s unique 4th Industrial Revolution content, such as K-pop and K-beauty, as well as in-depth interviews with Korea’s next-generation global leaders in the field.
Hwang Sung-pil is currently a partner patent attorney at Manseong Patent Office, a member of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI), a member of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association Korea, and a legal advisor for Phoenix Korea.
Who Are the People Who Can Live Well Without Knowing the 4th Industrial Revolution?
Whether in industry or academia, news about the Fourth Industrial Revolution is everywhere. The term “Fourth Industrial Revolution” has been widely used in South Korea for about three years.
The concept was first introduced by Klaus Schwab, chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF, also known as the Davos Forum), in January 2016 in Davos, Switzerland, and has since become a global topic. However, each country has its own slogan related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Interest in this revolution is nationwide, and governments worldwide are actively responding. Industries are also exploring ways to integrate it into their operations.
The ones who must pay the most attention to this transformation are not only the young people who will lead the world but also the general public who support them. We need to ask ourselves why we should understand the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is an ongoing process that involves the convergence of online and offline technologies. It is difficult to define precisely, nor is there a need for premature definitions—it is a transition shaping a rapidly evolving future. The revolution has already begun. Unlike in the past, where business success was often tied to political corruption, startups in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution thrive on innovation and problem-solving rather than power-based collusion. Government support alone is not enough to ensure the success of startups utilizing Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies.
Successful startups emerge when they solve unsolved problems efficiently and creatively. By addressing global needs rather than being confined by local boundaries, they grow based on global consensus. Learning from history, we should generate diverse ideas for the future and dream of a new world. When a company has a clear vision and values, it will continue to contribute to society even after becoming a global unicorn. However, companies lacking vision will suffer. Businesses that focus solely on profit generation will struggle to survive.
A common Korean phrase states that some people can "live well without laws." This often implies that they are inherently good and law-abiding. However, who are the people who can truly live without laws?
If laws were to disappear, heartless individuals who exploit and oppress others would inevitably arise. These individuals, unable to comprehend the suffering of others, would thrive in a lawless society. The weak and kind-hearted would have to sacrifice their wealth and lives to the ruthless. In a world without laws, chaos and tyranny would reign. In truth, only the wicked can live well without laws.
So, who are the people who can live well without knowing about the Fourth Industrial Revolution? Some might be like corrupt figures in movies who believe they don’t need to learn anything because they excel at political corruption. Others may be those who live comfortably off inherited wealth without needing to adapt. Or they might be the cunning individuals who fully understand the Fourth Industrial Revolution but manipulate the public for their own gain.
Powerless and kind-hearted people often become prey for the cunning. Legal protections exist for their sake because good people cannot live without the law. Similarly, those who strive to solve social issues and take on challenges are the ones who cannot live without the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Understanding the diverse scientific and technological aspects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as well as the importance of integration and standardization, is crucial. Only then can we properly support and protect those who are genuinely preparing for and implementing it. We must develop the insight to distinguish between those who mislead and deceive the public and those who are truly committed to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The future of humanity is determined by humanity itself. We are the leaders of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and our youth, in particular, will play a significant role. If we embrace and study the Fourth Industrial Revolution, every humble beginning will have the potential to produce a global leader.
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