World figures to address economic crisis, digital future at Seoul forum

(ATTN: photos available; ADDS byline, UPDATES with prime minister's comments,
keynote speech; RESTRUCTURES)
By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, May 27 (Yonhap) -- More than 800 influential opinion leaders,
policymakers, artists and journalists gathered in Seoul Wednesday as a major
international conference kicked off to explore new digital technology and the
future of storytelling.
Called "Story: A New Chapter," the sixth Seoul Digital Forum is to address a
range of topics, such as the outlook of the world economy, the role of the media,
IT and the digital age, and international relations.
In a keynote speech, New York University Professor Nouriel Roubini, known for his
astute outlook on the world economy, said the ongoing financial crisis will not
wane until the year's end and warned against "too much optimism."
"Optimists say we are close to the bottom (of the crisis), I'm somehow more
pessimistic," said Roubini, the co-founder and chairman of the Roubini Global
Economics Monitor. "I do agree that the economic contraction has slowed down, but
it is still occurring. It will end at the end of the year rather than the middle
of the year."
Even after the credit crunch comes to an end, the U.S. economy, as well as
smaller economies around the world, will be recovering at a slow pace due to low
consumption and weak financial security, he said.
The two-day annual event will be attended by figures from industry, government,
academia and art, including Roubini, Marvel Animation President Eric Rollman,
"Predictably Irrational" author Dan Ariely, Maestro Chung Myung-whun of the Seoul
Philharmonic Orchestra, Perceptive Pixel founder Jeff Han and South Korean author
Yi Mun-yol.
Ha Kum-loul, chief of the event's organizer Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS),
emphasized the importance of storytelling, the event's title, in an opening
speech.
"Storytelling has become more important in the digital era amid the flood of
content and resources that digital technology has presented us -- all of these
tell us a story," he said.
"Joanne Rowling, author of the 'Harry Potter' series, earns twice what Bill Gates
earns a year," Ha added. "This reminds us of the importance of storytelling,
especially considering the fact the world economy is in a pitfall mainly due to
its excessive dependence on the IT industry and finances."
South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo called for global cooperation to fight
the ongoing economic downturn.
"The financial crisis cannot be overcome with one nation's effort," said Han,
attending the event's opening ceremony. "I hope experts will be able to gather
wisdom during this forum on how to turn the crisis into an opportunity."
Established in 2004, the Seoul Digital Forum has been drawing an increasing
number of attendants each year.
The forum, divided into 20 main programs, will run through Thursday at the
Sheraton Grand Walkerhill Hotel in eastern Seoul.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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