[New Year's Address] Minister Choi Ki-young of Science and Technology: "Full Support for COVID-19 Vaccine Development... Accelerating Digital Innovation"

Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT is attending the 19th plenary meeting of the Presidential Committee on the Fourth Industrial Revolution held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Choi Ki-young, Minister of Science and ICT, stated on the 31st, "We will fully support the development of treatments and vaccines to strengthen responses not only to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) but also to future emerging infectious diseases," adding, "We will devote all efforts to national development strategies aimed at overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and advancing as a leading nation for the future."

In his 2021 New Year's address released that day, Minister Choi said, "Even amid the ongoing battle against COVID-19, the digital transformation driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution is accelerating."

He first emphasized, "We will accelerate digital innovation to overcome the current economic crisis and proactively prepare for the new era after COVID-19," adding, "We will ensure the success of the Digital New Deal, a national innovation project, and create tangible results that citizens and businesses can feel."

Specifically, he explained, "We will secure future innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors and 6G, and support leading the digital transformation era through the creation of non-face-to-face services," further stating, "We will steadily expand digital innovation infrastructure including data, networks, and AI, and spare no support for necessary talent development."

Additionally, Minister Choi mentioned, "The era of 100 trillion won in national research and development will open in 2021," and "We will ensure that science and technology guarantee quality of life and safety and actively drive the nation's future." The plan also includes strengthening responses to COVID-19 as well as future emerging infectious diseases.

He said, "To scientifically support the realization of carbon neutrality by 2050, we will strengthen strategic investments in key technologies such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon capture, while also doing our best to solve social issues directly related to citizens' lives, including disaster and safety, public security, and health," adding, "Along with basic scientific research that broadens the horizons of human knowledge, we will continuously expand scientific exploration areas such as bio, accelerators, space, micro-world research, and large-scale science."

Finally, Minister Choi stated, "We will do our best to contribute to building an ‘inclusive’ society where all citizens live well," and said, "In preparation for the full-fledged digital era, we will reduce communication costs for vulnerable groups and strengthen digital accessibility while enhancing the digital capabilities of the entire population."

He expressed, "The year 2020 was a difficult year for everyone due to the COVID-19 pandemic," and conveyed, "I sincerely thank the citizens, medical staff, researchers, those who participated in quarantine efforts in various ways, and all members of the Ministry of Science and ICT who quietly worked hard in their respective roles as the main agents of quarantine amid the unprecedented economic crisis and spread of infectious diseases."

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