March 03, 2021

KIPO Deputy Director Appointed as Chair of the APEC Intellectual Property Rights Experts Group

KIPO Deputy Director Appointed as Chair of the APEC Intellectual Property Rights Experts Group
- The second member from the Republic of Korea to serve since 2004 -

KIPO Commissioner Yong-Rae Kim announced on Feb. 18th that the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) had elected Ms. Kyo-Sook Choi, Deputy Director of the Multilateral Affairs Division at KIPO, as the Chair of the Intellectual Property Rights Experts’ Group (IPEG).

The IPEG is one of eight subcommittees under the Committee On Trade and Investment (CTI). The group which was created in recognition of the importance of intellectual property rights (IPRs) protection and enforcement as a key factor for boosting economic development. It was established in 1997 to develop a system for seamless trade investments and promote cooperation with focus on IP among the member countries.

Unanimously, 21 member countries elected Choi to lead the IPEG by coordinating views and reaching agreement, implementing work programs, sharing relevant experience and know-how, and strengthening capacity related to IPRs for the next two years.

- This is the second time that a member of ROK has been elected as the IPEG Chair; the first was elected in 2004. With this, ROK holds position as chairperson of three working groups within APEC**.

KIPO has been an active participant of the IPEG by introducing the ROK’s experiences and know-how with IP policies and making policy proposals for member countries to strengthen their IP capabilities.

- With this election, we expect the ROK to gain more stature and influence as an IP leader within APEC.

IPEG Chair Choi expressed her vision by saying, “
I feel the weight of responsibility as the Chair but I will strive to help create an IP friendly environment that fosters potential in individuals and businesses to innovate and grow in the APEC region” expressed Choi.

Chairperson Choi, concurrently serving as Deputy Director at KIPO, completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Material Engineering at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and received her doctorate from Saarland University, Germany. She entered the public service in 2010 after serving in Leipzig INM Research Center in Germany.

* Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong(China), Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea(ROK), Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papa New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States, Viet Nam

** Including the Telecommunications and Information Working Group and Human Resources Development Working Group (as of Jan. 2021)