Chicago Mayor’s Remarks
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, former White House chief of staff to President Barack Obama, named Korea as one of the five powerful nations in digital manufacturing, along with the US, Germany, China, and Japan.
According to overseas media outlets on Feb. 26 (local time), Mayor Rahm Emanuel said, “The US is competing with Germany, China, Japan, and Korea in research and development of the hi-tech manufacturing industry.”
His remarks were made at the White House for the announcement that Chicago was selected as a site to build the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute. The Digital Lab will play a role as the next-gen hub of the US digital manufacturing and defense industries.
Five nations mentioned by the mayor also happen to be leading countries in patent applications, which is a barometer of technology level.
The mayor, who was accompanied by two high school students excellent in science and math, stressed the importance of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education on which the Obama administration puts the emphasis. He pointed out, “STEM is the most promising area that can create companies and jobs in the future. It is precisely the future of the young generation.” He added that the new lab will become a place where young people can realize their ideas.