In an initiative reminiscent of Japan’s national programmes to target industries with the potential for rapid growth 20 years ago, South Korea has picked seven industries for special attention and possible government aid over the medium and long term: a 24-member committee will start drawing up a national plan for the industries next month – and the target industries include computers, semiconductors, telecommunications equipment and robotics; the other three are new materials, genetic engineering and aerospace, and the list was chosen on the basis of a forecast that these industries will account for over 60% of world trade in five years, up from 30% today.