Korea’s national competitiveness ranking has jumped 3 ranks and recording Korea as the 18th competitive nation in the world. 
Through the Global Competitiveness Report 2003-2004, released on Oct. 30, by the World Economic Forum (WEF) located in Geneva, 102 countries were evaluated and analyzed and Korea has ranked 18th. 
Past ranks of Korea are 28th in 2000, 23rd in 2001, 21 in 2002 and 18th for this year. 
This year’s evaluation method differs from that of last year’s and with the new calculation Korea’s competitiveness is 25th for last year. 
Therefore, this year’s rank has actually jumped up 7 ranks than last year. 
Only 80 countries were evaluated last year. 
Rankings for each field is 23rd for macro economic environment, 36th for public institution, 6th for technology, 19th for business activities and strategy and 25th for domestic business environment. High evaluation on technology is analyzed as the motive for the rise in Korea’s ranking. 
Detailed evaluation categories for the technology field has ranked first place in ISP (Internet Service Provider) quality, 2nd for total Internet users and 4th place for each Internet access in schools and government ICT (Information & Communication Technology) policies. 
(The rest is omitted) 
Source : Maeil Business Newspaper, Oct. 30, 2003