17 R&D Special Zones to Double in Size and Revenue Within 5 Years

Government Presents Four Major Policy Tasks... "Setting Direction to Match Changed Environment"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The government plans to develop the 17 research and development (R&D) special zones nationwide into hubs leading the low-carbon and digital economy, as well as ecosystems fostering ventures and startups. Policy goals also include deregulation and the establishment of open networks.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Presidential National Science and Technology Advisory Council held a deliberation meeting on the afternoon of the 30th and finalized the 4th Comprehensive Plan for the Development of R&D Special Zones. The R&D special zones are key districts for the commercialization of public technologies, designated as a total of 17 zones, including five large metropolitan zones such as Daedeok and Gwangju, and 12 small and medium zones centered on core technology institutions such as Gumi, Gunsan, and Gimhae.

The government aims to transform these 17 special zones into "national representative R&D innovation mega-clusters" leading the great transition in the K-New Deal era. To this end, four major policy goals have been set: leading the low-carbon and digital economy, building an ecosystem favorable for ventures and startups, creating an innovation environment free from regulations, and establishing open networks for coexistence and cooperation.

Through this, the government plans to increase sales within the special zones from 54 trillion won as of last year to 100 trillion won by 2025. The number of companies will be supported to grow from 6,782 to 10,000, the number of KOSDAQ-listed companies from 99 to 150, and the number of technology transfers from 4,686 to 8,000.

The Ministry of Science and ICT explained, "Since the introduction of the special zone system in 2005, the focus has been on expanding designations and spreading the Daedeok special zone model nationwide by establishing a foundation for technology transfer and commercialization. This time, amid changes in the internal and external science and technology innovation environment, we have presented the direction that R&D special zones should take to revitalize innovation ecosystems based on public technology."

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