Korean researchers are expanding their influence in the global technology rule-setting competition by achieving international standardization results in key future digital industry fields including artificial intelligence (AI), next-generation mobile communications (6G), and immersive media.
The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), a state-funded research institute, announced Tuesday that it generated a total of 92 international standardization achievements last year, including 42 new or revised international standards and 50 international standard contributions reflecting patented technologies.
Standard patent achievements are also expanding rapidly. ETRI created 97 new patents adopted into international standards last year. The cumulative total of international standard patents now stands at 1,312. Patents adopted into international standards are core assets that serve as benchmarks for technology usage in global markets.
These achievements have translated into licensing revenue. Standard patent revenue has grown steadily, from 36.7 billion won in 2023 to 44.4 billion won in 2024, and 50.2 billion won last year. Total standard patent revenue over the three years reached 131.3 billion won. Revenue was driven primarily by standard patents secured in the next-generation communications and immersive media fields.
In next-generation communications, ETRI is expanding international standardization activities focused on core technologies for the 6G era alongside 5G-Advanced enhancements. ETRI said it "submitted numerous international standard contributions reflecting patents, centered on technologies that form the foundation of future mobile communications, including network intelligence and automation, radio access technology, and interference management."
In immersive media, ETRI built a competitive performance structure through a "standard patent strategy" that secures both standards and patents simultaneously. The aim is to establish a foundation for securing technological leadership in next-generation immersive service markets such as extended reality (XR), the metaverse, and spatial computing.
In AI, ETRI secured multiple international standards related not only to technology performance itself but also to AI testing and verification methods and reliability evaluation frameworks. ETRI explained that it "focused on securing international standards to ensure AI can be used safely and reliably."
Leadership gains within international standardization bodies were also notable. ETRI secured 22 new chair positions in international standardization organizations last year. Chair positions play a critical role in directly influencing the direction of standards development and technology adoption decisions. This means ETRI's voice in international standards discussions has grown significantly.
ETRI President Bang Seung-chan said, "International standards are no longer simply benchmarks that describe technology — they are a domain that designs both the way technology is used and the order of the market." He added, "ETRI will proactively respond to changes in the global competitive environment by organically securing standards, patents, and international standardization leadership in core technology fields such as next-generation communications, artificial intelligence, and immersive media."