Service Reform Rally

KATS event improves and standardizes the service industry; citations presented

The Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) held the 2nd Rally for the Promotion of Service Quality Reform in its auditorium on October 25 with 200 business executives and government officials attending.
The purpose of the event was to show the importance of service quality across the country, thereby, sharpening the competitive edge of the service industry the same as the manufacturing industry in view of the fact that the service industry is crucial to the economy in terms of contribution to growth and employment.
In 2005, the service industry accounted for 56.3 percent of GDP growth and 66.5 percent in the number of jobs, short of 66.8 percent and 68.6 percent OECD average in 2003.
At the rally, individuals and corporations were given citations for their contributions in improving service quality. They were chosen from some 500 companies with certificates from the government for excellence in service quality.
KATS's move to hold the rally annually is based on the fact that the service sector has to expand its growth in tandem with rising demand and diversification of the industry. The underdeveloped service industry would hurt the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry and thus the quality of life for the people and increasing costs for the economy.
The organization also felt that the support and award systems for the industry have been lagging behind compared to those in the manufacturing industry.
The government launched the annual event in 2005 to boost the public awareness of the importance of the service industry and the morale of businesses and the people in the industry. The government often dealt with the development of the service industry in its policies. In January, 2005, the government announced its strategy to develop the service industry as a core industry in line with the demand for the industry from the knowledge service industry and consumers. In March, 2005, the government outlines its measures to strengthen the competitive power of the service sector to be drawn up at related ministers meeting. At the beginning of this year, the government decided to make the service industry its core growth engine to create jobs and solve the problems of the growing wealth gap.
The government pushed ahead with the project for standardization of the service sector to promote its further fostering and development. KATS designated the standards for 63 specifications in the areas of wedding halls, and picture covers, among others. It has been operating systems for awards and assurance issuance to reform the service quality and expand the service standardization. Since 2001, 413 quality assurance certificates in 55 sectors were issued.
At the first rally in 2005, citations issued included one Presidential citation, four Prime Minister's citations, four citations by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy, and four citations by the Administrator of the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards.
At the rally this year, citations included one by the President, two by Prime Minister, and four by the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Energy. About 200 people attended the ceremony including organizations related to the service industry. The event included a report on the strategy to reform service quality and the announcement of model samples of service quality reform, followed by the presentation of government citations to individuals and business firms.
Kyobo Life won the presidential citation for insurance services called DA-Win designed to reimburse customers unsatisfied with its services. The company has been providing various services including financial planning, healthcare, edu care, and silver care so that customers would be able to meet their needs in various areas in their lives including finance, health, education, and economic needs during the post-retirement period. Samsung Electronics Service Co. also won the citation for its home total care service. Under the service, a home-doctor makes regular calls on homes and offices that own the company's electronic appliances to take care of maintenance services. They also take care of other electronics appliances they have and demonstrate how to use them correctly. nw

KATS Administrator Choi Kaphong delivers the opening speech at the 2nd Service Quality Reform Promotion Rally held at KATS auditorium Oct. 25.