1st Vice Minister of Science and ICT "Localization of Research Equipment is the Root of the SoBuJang Industry"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Jeong Byeong-seon, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated on the 11th during a visit to the Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) that "Localization of research equipment is the root of the materials, parts, and equipment industry."

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, Vice Minister Jeong received reports on the institution's major tasks and current issues together with Shin Hyeong-sik, the director of KBSI, and discussed plans to foster the research equipment industry, the status and achievements of domestic research equipment development, and the direction for redefining KBSI's role in the integrated management of large research facilities.

He also attended a meeting with researchers to exchange opinions on strengthening the role of the control tower for research facilities and equipment to improve domestic research and development (R&D) productivity, as well as on difficulties faced in research sites.

At the meeting, Vice Minister Jeong urged, "Let us work together so that KBSI can take the lead in supporting technology, technology transfer, and establishing research institute companies, enabling the results of technology development to be integrated into various industrial fields by fostering a change in researchers' perception of domestic equipment and the growth of the research equipment industry ecosystem."

Vice Minister Jeong also visited the development site of the ‘Confocal Thermal Reflection Microscope,’ which was selected as one of the top 10 outstanding achievements of government-funded research institutes, and the operation site of the ‘Next-generation Converged in situ Nanoanalysis System,’ one of the large research equipment, to listen to related research outcomes and researchers' difficulties.

The ‘Confocal Thermal Reflection Microscope’ technology was commercialized in 2017 through Nanoscope Systems Co., Ltd., a specialized confocal microscope company, and is currently used in related research fields and product manufacturing. It was selected as one of the top 10 outstanding achievements of government-funded research institutes in 2018 and received the Minister of Science and ICT Award.

Vice Minister Jeong expressed his expectation that "KBSI's capabilities in operating and developing research equipment and its professional workforce will play an important role in enhancing the scientific and industrial competitiveness of research equipment."

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