The practical control book developed by Jeong-il Ahn has been recognized as a textbook in high schools starting this year. In the era of the Industrial Revolution, statistics have established themselves as a crucial field. The importance of national control, including the establishment and evaluation of various policies and research, is increasingly growing. Additionally, with changes in the usage environment, there is a rise in new statistical tours utilizing big data. The government is strengthening national statistical capabilities by improving the national statistical management system and quality control system to flexibly respond to these changing conditions. In particular, efforts are being made to enhance reliability by introducing consultation techniques for field surveys and expanding administrative data, as well as focusing on quality control methods. Furthermore, the opening of big data and the promotion of academic research are also being supported for job creation. The fourth Industrial Revolution, often referred to as the era of big data, is underway.

What direction is needed for the national statistical system to support the role of a pioneer in change? We will hear about this through the opening remarks of the director. Are you aware that he is truly in charge of this book? We now live in an era defined by data, known as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The ability to lead this Fourth Industrial Revolution depends on whether we can accurately capture the constantly changing landscape and secure precise and detailed statistics. Therefore, various efforts are underway to produce accurate and detailed national statistics. Today, we had the opportunity to learn more about this. This was Kang Shin-wook from the Statistics Korea. Hello! Well, I guess we could say that every day feels like a battle with numbers, right? Yes, that's correct. While we are living in a selection process...

Furthermore, where is the Statistics Office located? It is in Daejeon. The Statistics Office moved from Seoul to Daejeon due to the failure of the previous year. The second floor has about 1,320 employees, which is quite a lot. In reality, those who conduct surveys directly in the provinces are the ones who compile the results, and the people at the main office in Daejeon create and prepare the statistics, totaling about 700 staff members. For example, when conducting a population survey, there are indeed many personnel involved on-site. There are also local offices, right? Yes, there are five regional offices. It seems that the Statistics Office needs to foster mathematical skills. The economy is undergoing significant changes. I understand. Now, I would like to ask you a few questions. As I mentioned earlier, statistics are incredibly important in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Among them, the importance of national statistics produced by the government is increasing, isn't it? Specifically, how can we explain national statistics? Well, as you know, statistics are necessary to quantify social phenomena. Among these, statistics that are deemed necessary for the operation of the state are produced by administrative agencies, local governments, and other institutions. You can think of them as official statistics. Common examples include demographics, birth rates, unemployment rates, and so on. The same goes for GDP and other similar statistics. However, not all statistics qualify as official statistics; they must have a certain level of reliability. To achieve this, they need to meet specific qualification criteria. The National Statistical Office plays a crucial role in ensuring these qualifications. Speaking of qualification criteria, what exactly are they? For instance, what could be an example of a physically representative statistic? For example, a statistic that represents the entire country.

We need to conduct surveys across the country, and we decided to carry out these surveys at regular intervals from the beginning. It is essential that the surveys continue smoothly. Therefore, we will assess whether the necessary conditions are met in advance. After the review, we will also check if the surveys are being conducted as planned and whether accurate statistics are continuously being produced. For example, statistics such as employment rates, which are released monthly or quarterly by the National Statistical Office, should be consistent. The staff should be working almost every day throughout the year to ensure this. 

Now, what role do you think national statistics should play in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution? One of the key concepts that describe the Fourth Industrial Revolution is data. There is a vast amount of data available now, and it is incredibly diverse compared to before.

빅데이터는 매우 빠른 속도로 생산됩니다. 예, 그렇습니다. 또 통계를 생산하고 국가 통계의 입장에서는 그런 환경 변화를 활용해야 할 의무가 있습니다. 새로운 방식으로 조사를 해야 하고, 새로운 영역의 통계를 조사해야 합니다. 그렇지만 이전에 비해 데이터 양이 굉장히 많아졌기 때문에, 그 많은 데이터를 일정한 국가 통계로서의 엄청난 품질을 가지고 있는지를 계속 관리해 나가야 할 측면이 있습니다. 빅데이터를 이렇게 처리하려고 하면 통계청의 컴퓨터는 슈퍼컴퓨터 수준이 되어야 하지 않나요? 예, 그렇습니다. 처음에 성능이 뛰어난 컴퓨터를 구입했지만, 일정 시간이 지나면 그 많은 양의 데이터를 처리하는 데 부족함이 생깁니다. 네, 그렇습니다. 통계청의 데이터를 이제 민간에서도 많이 활용해야 합니다.

We are actively providing services, and the methods of offering are very diverse. For example, when a new restaurant opens, they utilize big data about the surrounding commercial area. They also generate statistics based on this data. Yes, if you visit my local government website, you can see how many restaurants are distributed in my area. This information can be easily visualized. You can also enter the site and search for your neighborhood by typing in your town or district, and it will show you the types of establishments at a glance. You can click and select to explore further. 

This is not only applicable to the public sector but also to the private sector. When did this openness begin? The opening to the private sector has occurred several times.

First of all, the data you mentioned earlier, such as unemployment rates, has been continuously developed since the establishment of the Statistics Office. However, there are differences in how this data is made accessible—whether through easy access via internet searches or presented in a more visually appealing manner. We are continuously striving to enhance the range, degree, and convenience of our services. Are many of our citizens utilizing this site? Yes, I believe the number is increasing. Recently, we have seen a significant number of users not only accessing the original data from homeowners but also utilizing the raw data from our surveys. Yes, that’s correct. And when citizens come to use the Statistics Office, who benefits the most? The groups that utilize it the most are likely businesses.

One of them seems to be that companies are likely to face issues. Women utilize economic data to predict economic conditions and to assess how the market that these companies are facing is currently operating. Additionally, the general public, especially those with significant interest in economic matters, also uses this data. Researchers have a very close relationship with the data they utilize. Now, if we look at this from a governmental perspective, there are certain statistics compiled by the National Statistical Office. Does the government send these statistics to each department, or do the departments access them through their own sites? Specifically, we send relevant statistics to the departments. For example, this is the employment statistics, which are directly related to the Ministry of Employment, and we provide them at the appropriate time. Otherwise, we access them through our website or other databases. I'm very curious about this.

Looking back on last year, we all know that various opinions were expressed regarding the same statistics, leading to conflicts. From the perspective of the public, the differing opinions among political experts on already difficult statistics created confusion. What can be done to reduce such conflict situations? First of all, I believe that interpreting the same statistics differently is a natural phenomenon. As our perspectives diversify and society democratizes, active communication allows for different opinions on the same issue. It is natural and expected that there will be varied opinions surrounding statistics. However, when debates arise in the legislature, it can lead to controversy.

I think we should avoid certain things. To do this, we need to explain in more detail how B Songgye was created, through what methods and processes, and provide a richer and more diverse supply of statistics that can reflect social phenomena. It's important for political communication to address issues like the decline in the job market. You mentioned a different point that stems from this; could you provide some examples that are easier to understand? It’s quite difficult. 

One of the things that garnered social attention last year was the employment rate, right? For instance, if we compare the employment figures of people in their 30s and 40s, we can see that the number of employed individuals in their 30s has decreased, and the same is true for those in their 40s. However, the population in their 30s and 40s has also declined. So, the decrease in the population likely has an impact on the reduction in the number of employed individuals.

There is none, but when comparing by age group, the population in their 30s has decreased faster than the number of employed individuals. In contrast, for teenagers, even though the population has decreased, the number of employed individuals has also decreased, but it has not been as pronounced. Therefore, to understand the fluctuations in employment, considering the changes in population is helpful if you look at the ratios. In such cases, I keep saying to judge based on the overall report. For decades, we have experienced continuous population growth across all age groups, so we are not familiar with how to interpret statistics when the population begins to decline. I remember this statistic: the year when the population of both countries began to decrease was around 2010. We anticipated this, of course; I also read about it in articles, and in my mind, I think of 2028.

I'm saving this, so what kind of statistics have you created? There have been cases stemming from misunderstandings, and before posting on this site, the chief and the executives gather for a meeting. In fact, how to conduct the statistics is strictly prohibited by law from being provided externally beforehand. Therefore, when preparing the statistics, only the relevant departments within the National Statistical Office can view it, and it cannot be spread around or discussed openly within the office. I thought musicians would do it differently, but that's not the case. Only a select few can see the data, and even in discussions, it is kept within a secure server. So, the executives gather to talk, and to share an interesting story...

The employees at the Statistics Office work in a secure environment, where they have a strict policy in place for creating press releases. They have signs posted that prohibit employees from departments not directly involved from even approaching the area. This shows that statistical data is managed very strictly. Maintaining security is essential. 

Some people say that national statistics are like photographs that capture moments of societal change. If that's the case, then the methods of collecting statistics should also change according to societal shifts. I wonder what efforts have been made in this regard over the past year. 

Among the products produced by the office, a significant portion involves statistics gathered by visiting businesses or households. However, obtaining responses is becoming increasingly challenging. Therefore, we need to find ways to alleviate the burden on those who provide responses.

We are continuously developing ways to alleviate the burden. For example, we can assist in writing a report without needing to meet directly, allowing you to respond via phone or the internet. Additionally, we can use tablets to gather information. There are alternative methods to conduct face-to-face surveys. More fundamentally, if we can create materials using administrative data, we can significantly enhance the speed of data collection. Even if the administrative data is not from public institutions, we are considering how to utilize existing data to intuitively understand people's lives. I think it would be interesting to hear about the challenges faced by field workers who visit homes and interact with the market. Among them, some are still using traditional methods.

Yes, it's true that they are not currently providing assistance. This can be considered a kind of mental labor. Yes, that's right. There are concerns about being isolated, as those who live alone are increasingly showing up late at home. Unlike apartments in Daejeon, where you can simply enter by entering a password at the entrance, it’s becoming more difficult to meet with people, especially when approaching their children. It's becoming more challenging to meet in person. I ask the citizens watching this to please cooperate with the field staff who are going through difficult situations. 

To the citizens, our Statistics Korea staff are working tirelessly day and night to create accurate statistics by visiting and asking you questions. We understand this may be an inconvenience, but please do your best to accommodate the Statistics Korea staff when they come to visit.

If you sincerely provide your answers, they will later be used as national statistics, and we will carefully record them to improve your lives. I also welcome the staff from the statistics department warmly. The important growth foundation of the fourth industrial revolution era is being identified. Therefore, there is a demand for data to be quickly collected, disseminated, and easily utilized, as well as for the role of a data hub. In response to these changes and demands, a national statistical system is in place to discern and manage information. However, due to misunderstandings and differences in interpretation regarding statistics, there is a clear need to secure trust in public disclosure and reform. Trust is paramount in national statistics, which are utilized for the establishment and evaluation of government policies, as well as for research and analysis of social phenomena. So, what is necessary to enhance public trust and effectively utilize policies?

What is effort? In statistics, it is said that all national policies are based on foundational data. Therefore, accuracy and reliability are of utmost importance. If there are any plans to enhance the reliability of national statistics, I can explain two directions. The first is accuracy. To ensure accurate statistics, when creating new metrics or revising existing controls, we plan to implement a pre-evaluation system that examines how such efforts will impact the figures previously established. Additionally, the development or improvement of new statistics will be reviewed and checked by an independent organization, rather than the department that previously created those statistics. The second aspect is performance. No matter how accurately we create...

Pain relievers also show the reality of the past, so they won't be very relevant. I'm thinking about how to capture recent phenomena. For example, one of the plans for this year involves the items that will be surveyed when creating alcohol from water. We are working on reorganizing this to reflect the latest trends. For instance, the recent emergence of masks has drawn unique attention. Previously, masks were not included in the 420 items subject to price surveys, as they were considered to be made from flour. However, with the spread of COVID-19, the quantity of masks has increased significantly, and more citizens are using them. Therefore, we were reviewing whether masks should be included when compiling the price index. So, will masks be included now? Yes, we plan to make a decision on this within this year.

Hello, it's nice to meet you. Is it really such a difficult task to make a decision? I need to check how much we are actually using it. Not only do I need to verify this, but I also need to calculate the proportion it holds. And, of course, my preparation funds are also a concern since these kids are bound to be influenced by the environment. So, starting today, we need to establish some statistics and determine what actions we should take. Over the past three years, a review has been conducted, and this is where we stand now. 

Recently, through my own experiences, I’ve been involved in creating delivery services. You know about that, right? There are people referred to as platform workers. How should we categorize them? This is a global issue. So, how can we redefine these categories and figure out how to quantify these aspects? This has been an ongoing discussion for the past three years.

The Statistics Korea office in Daejeon has made significant improvements. The expertise of the staff is exceptional. I understand that they are currently working on a project. I was told that at Statistics Korea, there will be an introduction of a new evaluation system for statistical nutritionists to enhance and develop statistics in the future. Could you explain this in more detail in English? It might be a bit challenging, but what kind of research is being conducted at the office? 

Yes, when they are looking to introduce new research or modify existing surveys, it is important to evaluate how these new initiatives will impact the responses from the current surveys. This is a system that allows for prior review. 

Additionally, I understand that an independent survey design system will also be introduced. Could you explain this as well? When a part of the research that was previously conducted is changed or when new attempts are made, what processes will be in place?

Because we are looking at it from the existing perspective, we need to carefully examine what kind of disruptions may arise and what unexpected changes may occur. One way to prevent the possibility of overlooking these changes is not to have the department in charge review them, but rather to gather experts in research in a separate, independent setting to objectively examine these issues from a new perspective. For example, we are currently conducting a trial investigation on how to classify platform workers. When conducting such an exploratory investigation, if new methods are developed, it should not be designed by the department that used to create employment statistics in the past, but rather by an organization that primarily focuses on this specific task. This organization would review how to design the investigation and how to structure the sample. When we think about it, has there ever been a time like now when there is such a national interest in statistics?

To produce accurate and reliable statistics, I believe that we need to secure better organizations and high-quality personnel. What plans do we have for this? We are focusing on about three main areas. First, we need to enhance the accuracy of statistics by securing the necessary personnel and resources. As I mentioned earlier, the establishment of new organizations requires a solid support of skilled personnel, so we plan to collaborate with relevant agencies to achieve this. Additionally, the importance of the hub function of the National Statistical Office is increasingly being emphasized. It is essential to enable data produced by different ministries to be used by third parties or to freely share data generated by the public sector.

어떤 프로그램이나 과정을 통해 요가를 할 수 있게 되는데, 이에 따라 필요한 전문 지식과 능력, 그리고 개인정보 보호와 관련된 인력이 필요합니다. 이러한 부분도 주력해서 다뤄야 합니다. 현재 신종 코로나 바이러스 감염증과 관련해서도 여러 지원이 필요합니다. 우리나라에서 나중에 자료를 보내야 할 것 같습니다. 이런 자료는 통계청에서 작성하는데, 통계청은 직접 작성하지 않고 국제기구에 제출하는 통로 역할을 하는 경우가 많습니다. 미리 말씀드리자면, 국가 통계청의 경우 약 1200배의 통계 자료를 직접 작성하며, 65조에 해당하는 과학 통계도 포함됩니다. 이 통계는 관련 부서에서 작성하거나 연구 기관, 민간에서 수집하여 작성됩니다.

I mentioned earlier that we need to check the quality and whether the management is in place. There is a function for this, and when the government agency submits expenditures, it goes through the Statistics Korea. I have experienced that. So, you did it that way. To increase the reliability of national statistics, the independence of Statistics Korea is essential. What do you think about this? Independence is a very important requirement not only for all statistics but also for all statistical agencies. I completely agree that Statistics Korea should operate independently. However, why should there be independence? Typically, the data produced through this control is perceived as a report card on government performance or interpreted as figures directly related to other organizations.

Statistics have various opinions that may influence outcomes. Therefore, the independence of statistical offices has been emphasized in all countries from very early on. In this regard, I believe that our statistical office is also sufficiently independent in the production and publication of statistics. However, there are various legal discussions in the National Assembly aimed at further institutionalizing this independence, and we are providing our opinions on those matters. I see that statistical offices, like media organizations, aim for fair and objective reporting, and this is indeed the same context. Through gathered indicators that reflect aspects of people's lives, we can observe the quality of life. By examining these indicators, we can understand how the quality of life of the citizens is changing. We are working to make these indicators more up-to-date and accurate.

There is a sound for the benefit of the people, and indeed, assessing the quality of life of the entire nation also utilizes national statistics. Welfare policies are determined based on these statistics, so on one hand, statistics can influence the quality of life of the citizens. What national statistics are related to the quality of life of the citizens? When comparing regions like Baegyo and Bukgajwa-dong, what comes to mind is GDP, right? We hear a lot about it. However, GDP does not fully represent the quality of life in all its aspects, which is why there has been ongoing international discussions for several years about creating new indicators that go beyond GDP. Therefore, the National Statistical Office has been working not just to replace GDP with a single indicator but to gather multiple indicators to assess various aspects of citizens' lives. In this context, they have developed quality of life indicators.

There is one important thing to consider: not only income, employment, and assets, but also environmental safety permits and education are included in various areas. Therefore, while it is not possible to express everything as a single figure, we are working to help understand how the quality of life for citizens is changing by examining each aspect. Currently, at the National Statistical Office, the director is a doctor, and there are many other employees with doctorates as well. Many employees hold advanced degrees in statistics, but it is also essential to have a precise and deep understanding of each field that utilizes statistics. There are many economists and other experts with doctoral degrees. Statistics, in English, is referred to as statistics, which is closely related to the concept of the state.

As for the specifications, in part four, it involves numbers necessary for running the country, such as statistics. The core concepts are similar, and you learn a lot from them. I'm nervous because these statistics fail to capture certain blind spots. In order to improve the quality of life for citizens, it seems that ongoing adjustments to statistics in line with social changes will need to be made. How is the urgent activity progressing? There are mainly one or two key points. One is that even if you use the term blind spots, if we spread it out across the areas of citizens' lives, there are aspects where control cannot be evenly distributed in proportion to that. If citizens' areas of life are expanding but control is not capturing that, we need to identify that part.

관련된 부처와 백그라운드 통계를 만들어 주십사 요청합니다. 번호가 할 수도 있고, 회사는 통계를 직접 만들 수도 있습니다. 그런 국민의 삶의 영역과 현재 통계를 비교하는 작업을 진행하고 있습니다. 저희가 국가 통계 프레임워크에 대해 설명드리고 있는데요, 그 작업의 첫 번째 방향은 의료입니다. 둘째는 제가 말씀드렸던 국민 삶의 질 지표를 좀 더 최신으로 만들고, 좀 더 정확하게 만들기 위한 노력도 하고 있습니다. 통계는 사실 중요합니다. 정확한 통계를 만들기 위해 교정을 하고 있으며, 인구 총조사와 임업 조사가 올해 말에 예정되어 있습니다. 국가 운영의 근간이 되는 통계이니만큼, 통계청 직원들이 찾아오셨을 때 따뜻하게 맞아주시고, 친절하게 답해 주시면 저희가 정확하고 도움이 되는 통계를 만들어 드릴 수 있습니다.

One of the basic elements of national development is population, isn't it? We are now facing a population cliff, and recently, as low birth rates and aging have intensified, our population structure is in turmoil. These changes seem to affect the methods and content of our approaches. If there is a particular aspect of population change that you are especially concerned about, what would it be? 

As you mentioned, population statistics are fundamental statistics among various data. Perhaps the most basic is labor statistics, which are essential for managing a country. Knowing the population size is crucial, and since these are very fundamental statistics, the resources invested in understanding the population are significant. We have a situation similar to a survey. Therefore, starting in 2015, we have been conducting surveys across the country using resident registration and various administrative data.

인구를 매년 파악하는 방식으로 바뀌었습니다. 그리고 가가호호 방문하는 방식은 하지 않고, 행정정보로 파악할 수 없는 부분이 있습니다. 그 내용에 대해서는 5년마다 전국민을 방문하지만, 전국민의 약 20% 정도를 방문하고, 40%는 제외됩니다. 이것은 오랫동안 예정되어 있습니다. 두 번째로, 현재 인구를 파악하는 것도 중요하지만, 장래 인구가 어떻게 변화될지를 예측하는 것도 중요합니다. 이를 통해 연금에 대한 예산을 세우거나 필요한 숫자를 예측할 수 있습니다. 인구 추계를 저희가 5년마다 앞으로 50년을 예측했습니다. 그런데 5년 사이에 인구 구조가 빠르게 변해서, 2년 단위로 인구가 앞으로 어떻게 변할지를 계층별로 분석해야 합니다.

I am trying to understand. Recently, there has been active movement in expanding data centers in various government ministries. As an agency responsible for national statistics, the role of the Statistics Office seems necessary. What aspects should we consider? We believe that the Statistics Office should provide public data produced by other ministries to the private sector, enabling them to utilize this data for new analytical results. We also plan to make it easier to access such data by establishing data centers evenly across regions. Yes, you mentioned the Statistics Office's website; to access it, you need to register as a member. Once you are registered, you can use it freely. In this big data era, international cooperation is also important.

Accurate and reliable statistics that meet international standards are inevitably linked to national competitiveness. You mentioned international aid earlier; could you please elaborate? For example, the first fundamental aspect of international trade is our acceptance of international standards. This includes how we classify industries and occupations. Rather than doing this arbitrarily, we aim to establish a method that allows for comparability across countries. However, depending on the situation, this can sometimes lead to social concerns and controversies. Recently, for instance, there has been significant attention on whether gaming should be classified as a sport or a disability, leading various stakeholders to have sharply differing views. This directly relates to the criteria for compiling statistics.

Such an international standard must be quickly accepted and established according to the realities of Korea, which is an important role of the Statistics Korea. Another duty is to actively participate in discussions related to the adoption of new methods and technologies that all international regulatory bodies face. Lastly, it plays a role in supporting the regulation of underdeveloped and developing countries, helping them to produce and serve statistics effectively, which has received very positive evaluations. 

If we produce good statistics and provide good services, it benefits not only the citizens of that country but also our regions and our citizens who wish to expand into those markets, as they can obtain accurate information and establish precise strategies. Ultimately, I believe that the various statistical offices will gather for meetings to discuss these detailed matters. There is a meeting in March regarding these statistics.

Next month, the heads of various departments will gather to divide responsibilities. I've heard that it's essential for you to attend. In 2020, what is the new key project? Additionally, I would like to briefly ask the public for their cooperation. This year, our Statistics Korea is making efforts to produce accurate statistics. Among these, the major surveys, such as the population census and the agricultural census, are scheduled for the end of this year. During this period, we will be reaching out to many citizens to ask for their participation. As these statistics form the foundation of national operations, I hope that when citizens visit the Statistics Korea, they will be warmly welcomed and provide detailed answers. We will then be able to create accurate and useful statistics in return. Understood. Yes, the Statistics Korea is engaged in a daily battle with numbers.

I had a conversation with President Kang Shin-wook. Thank you for coming today. Statistics serve as the foundation for establishing national policies. If the foundation is not solid, it will ultimately reveal flaws. I hope for the development of a national statistical system that will serve as the basis for effective policy implementation. I will see you again next time. Thank you for watching.

[최일구의 정말 20회] 빅데이터 시대, 국가통계의 중요성!

[최일구의 정말 20회] 빅데이터 시대, 국가통계의 중요성!