On December 17, 2021, Lim Gyoo-gun, a Professor in the Department of Business at Hanyang University (HYU), received the “Bright Internet Lee Jae Kyu Award” at the Bright Internet Global Summit 2021. The award is given to domestic and foreign researchers who have contributed to the prevention of Internet crime and terrorism. Professor Lim is the first Korean researcher to receive the award, in recognition of his contribution on the National Information Protection Index, Netiquette, and Cyber Dysfunction Research. Professor Lim is currently the president of the International Center for Electronic Commerce, the president of the Korea IT Service Association, the chairman of the Seoul Smart City Committee, and the head of HYU’s IC- PBL Teaching and Learning Center.

Q. How did you first become interested in IT services?

A. To start with, I majored in computer science in both my undergraduate and graduate programs. So, I always had an interest in computers. However, I really became interested in the field when I joined KT Research Institute’s high-speed network team in 1993 and participated in running the domestic Internet academic network. In 1994, I managed the very first Internet website and developed the e-commerce system, while contributing to Asia’s first commercial Internet by KT, KORNET. As I saw the Internet business become active and the world develop around it, I grew deeply interested in this field.

Q. How do you define the “Bright Internet” and the process in need to achieve it?

A. The initial purpose of the Internet was to secure national defense information, but its public purpose is enabling open communication. However, security was overlooked in the process of commercialization, resulting in terrorism and hacking. “Bright Internet” prevents such misuse and enables open communication by establishing a network in which the society can both trust and take responsibility for. To achieve it, the support of the general public and technology is essential.

Q. Have you had any difficulties as a researcher? If so, how did you overcome them?

A. During cooperative studies, different interests clash and cause “disharmony.” The solution is to understand others’ stances, make concessions, and move towards the common goal.

Q. As a researcher leading the IT field, do you have any visions or goals?

A. My vision is that digital technologies must enrich our lives. We make digital innovation to achieve that vision. True innovation is eliminating unnecessary, unstable, and inefficient elements and creating newness. The goal of this process is to achieve a state in which individual life, society, and the state focus not only on efficiency, but happiness as well.

Q. Is there any advice you want to give to HYU students interested in the IT field?

A. Be sensitive to trends and challenge yourself. Digital technology changes quite quickly. Learning, following, adapting, and utilizing those changes will not only enrich your individual life but also create new opportunities. Pay attention to those new technologies, adapt to trends, and lead them.