Let us compare the past and present in terms of how meteorological and climate data are utilized. In the past, weather information was limited to simple, one-time consumption for decisions such as "Do I need an umbrella today?" However, with improved value of weather information, increased utilization across various sectors of society, and advancements in AI (artificial intelligence) and data analysis technologies, meteorological and climate data have evolved into information that is combined and reused across diverse services.
Weather information has become the "invisible infrastructure of cities" that governs daily life and convenience facilities such as delivery and logistics platforms, smart rest areas with heating and cooling systems, and outdoor advertising boards. Representative examples include smart rest areas at bus stops that provide shelter from heatwaves during extreme temperatures and energy management systems that automatically adjust building air conditioning. It is now more accurate to say not that "the Korea Meteorological Administration tells us the weather," but rather that "meteorological and climate data are working everywhere in the world."
Last year, the number of API usage instances for weather information provided by the Korea Meteorological Administration through its public data open platform exceeded 5 billion. User types also vary widely, including public institutions, institutional investors, companies, and individuals. Like Lego blocks, users are integrating the same data in their own ways to produce entirely different outcomes. In particular, application areas are diversifying. Last year, API usage in the energy and mining sector during the fourth quarter (115.06 million instances) increased by 13.7 times compared to the first quarter (7.85 million instances). This surge reflects a sharp rise in demand for meteorological and climate data for predicting solar and wind power generation output as the renewable energy industry expands. Usage in disaster response also doubled over the same period, highlighting the growing role of weather information at the forefront of addressing climate crises.
Changes are also underway to support this trend institutionally. The Korea Meteorological Administration has maintained an excellent or higher rating for eight consecutive years in public data provision evaluations led by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, demonstrating its reliability. The revised Weather Act enacted in March this year clearly established the legal basis for the integrated management and provision of meteorological and climate data. The core shift is moving away from a supply-centric approach to data provision toward one that actively listens to actual demand and user needs.
The Korea Meteorological Administration plans to identify what types of data are needed in what forms at public and private sites through surveys and reflect these findings in API development and service improvements based on data-driven administration. It has also established a legal basis for operating service platforms to ensure that meteorological and climate data can be easily and conveniently accessed by everyone. However, as a minimum commitment to building a trust-based data ecosystem, proper attribution of sources is required. This stems from the lesson learned that inaccurate weather information can threaten citizens' lives and property when disseminated.
How much did our daily lives today depend on weather information? The 5 billion instances of API usage for weather information speak for themselves. As AI transformation (AX), data integration, and the convergence of the physical and digital worlds accelerate, the scope of meteorological and climate data utilization will continue to expand further.
Have you ever wondered whether students who are now handling meteorological and climate data like Lego blocks might one day create something amazing that surprises us all? The Korea Meteorological Administration is committed to continuously enhancing the value of meteorological and climate data so that weather information can spread far and wide, like dandelion seeds carried by the wind.
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