President Moon Jae-in's First New Year Work Report from the Science and Technology Field

Science and ICT Ministry and KCC Report to Daejeon Research Complex... Definite Change in National Achievements Based on Science and Technology

[Asia Economy Reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Son Seon-hee] On the 16th, President Moon Jae-in kicked off the new year’s national agenda by receiving his first briefing from the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Communications Commission at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) in Daedeok Research Complex, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon. The briefing, themed "Definite Change, Republic of Korea 2020, DNA of Innovation, Science and Technology Powerhouse," was held with over 120 officials including Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

President Moon expressed gratitude and encouragement to the scientists and technologists who have achieved world-leading and pioneering results in various fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and biotechnology. Starting the year’s first briefing at ETRI reflects the Blue House’s commitment to driving innovation, growth, and definite change across the economy through the 'D·N·A (Data·Network (5G)·AI)' strategy.

The Ministry of Science and ICT reported on expanded inter-ministerial collaborative investments following the dawn of a 24 trillion won era in national R&D investment, and focused investments in strategic technologies including bio-health, space, energy, materials and components, and quantum technology. In particular, aligned with the National Assembly’s passage of the three Data Acts, a public-private joint investment plan of 30 trillion won by 2022, including nationwide 5G network deployment, was presented.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Korea Communications Commission emphasized comprehensive reforms of outdated regulations in the media sector such as advertising, sponsorship, and programming, improving regulatory fairness with global operators, and user protection measures in the AI era.

The Daedeok Research Complex symbolizes innovation and change in Korea’s science and technology, housing 45 research institutes, seven universities including KAIST and Chungnam National University, and about 1,900 companies. ETRI has contributed to Korea’s growth as a science, technology, and ICT powerhouse through achievements such as the world’s first commercialization of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and the development of memory semiconductors (DRAM).

Meanwhile, the format of Blue House briefings has evolved slightly each year. In August 2017, the first year of the Moon Jae-in administration, briefings were conducted by dividing 2-3 related ministries into nine groups. In December 2018, briefings for the 2019 agenda were held with new ministers from ministries such as Education and Defense presided over by the president. This year, government ministries are grouped by theme for the briefings.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.