South Korea's Broadcasting, Media and Communications Commission said on Tuesday that Chairman Kim Jong-cheol (김종철) attended a Group of Seven (G7) digital and technology ministers meeting by video on Oct. 20 and discussed ways to strengthen international cooperation to protect minors online.

The meeting was arranged at the suggestion of France's Minister for AI and Digital Affairs Anne Le Hénanff and was attended by a total of 12 countries, including G7 members such as the United States, France and Japan, as well as five invited countries.

France proposed establishing a global science platform to protect minors, studying the impact of digital services on minors, and sharing databases of related research findings.

Research topics included minors' physical and mental health, cognitive development and academic achievement, social skills and relationship development, and the possibility of inducing overdependence on algorithmic recommendations.

Kim said, "As multiple government ministries in South Korea are cooperating to protect minors, I will share the results of this meeting with relevant ministries and discuss the future direction."

He also said he viewed positively France's proposal to build a global science platform and expressed his intention to continue participating in international cooperation.

Kim said, "Minors are not merely subjects of protection but have a dual status as rights holders who can obtain information and express their views through digital services," and stressed that "a public discussion process in which minors themselves participate is needed."

The meeting was held as a follow-up measure to the G7 digital and technology ministers' joint declaration adopted in France in May.