Growing Domestic Research Equipment... Establishing an Innovation Growth Strategy

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The government is establishing a legal foundation for performance evaluation of domestically produced research equipment and designating a dedicated institution. Additionally, it will build a Domestic Equipment Shared Utilization Lab to enable overseas researchers to use domestic equipment. Through this, South Korea aims to develop its research equipment into a core national infrastructure industry. The Ministry of Science and ICT announced this research equipment industry innovation growth strategy on the 20th.

The strategy includes developing research equipment used in laboratories with Korean technology for export worldwide. Although South Korea spends over 20 trillion won annually on research and development budgets, 80% of the research equipment used in laboratories is foreign-made.

First, to secure basic technological capabilities, the government will develop 'analytical science' technology. Analytical science is a foundational discipline that observes, measures, and interprets research subjects. It comprehensively includes research on analytical technologies and related research equipment development. The government will localize core components and focus on developing key element technologies. Furthermore, to promote the global market entry of domestic equipment, demand-tailored commercialization research and development will be expanded. To develop new equipment reflecting research site demands, consortia with companies will be formed to provide package support for technology development, patent analysis, design, software development, standards, and productization.

The government will also undertake future-leading flagship projects to develop next-generation research equipment and secure core technologies. These projects support challenging tasks difficult for companies to undertake, aiming to develop next-generation research equipment or core technologies. The government plans to select projects in leading technology and research equipment fields that can open new markets such as neuroscience, nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and sensors.

Measures to foster a growth-oriented research equipment industry have also been prepared. First, a performance evaluation support system will be established to ensure the reliability of domestic research equipment. A legal and institutional foundation for research equipment performance evaluation will be built, and a dedicated institution will be designated. Additionally, a research equipment information-sharing platform will be established to strengthen networking among stakeholders. To nurture specialized companies and establish hubs, a research equipment industry cluster will be created. Field-integrated talent will be cultivated through collaborative projects with equipment companies.

To promote market entry of domestic research equipment, research and development projects utilizing domestic equipment will be supported and used for excellence verification and performance improvement. Moreover, a 'Domestic Equipment Shared Utilization Lab' will be established in major countries such as the United States to serve as a foothold for market entry.

The Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "The research equipment industry is a benchmark for national science and technology competitiveness and a core technology field forming the foundation of future advanced industries. Based on this strategy, the Ministry plans to pursue systematic support."

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