Minister Lim Hye-sook of the Ministry of Science and ICT: "Committed to Digital Society Transition and Future Technology Development"

Minister of Science and ICT nominee Lim Hye-sook is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 4th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Im Hye-sook, the newly appointed Minister of Science and ICT, stated that she will focus most on accelerating the digital society transition and developing technologies to prepare for the new era, including carbon neutrality, space development, and bio technology.

Minister Im said this at her inauguration ceremony held on the afternoon of the 14th at the auditorium of the Sejong City government office. Regarding her feelings after the confirmation hearing, she reflected, "As an ordinary scientist who has lived quietly for the past few weeks, I found myself in an unimaginable whirlwind," and added, "It is a great personal honor to be inaugurated as the first female minister, but I feel an immense weight of responsibility."

Minister Im then presented four key tasks. First, she cited accelerating the transition to a digital society as the top priority. She said, "In the digital era, new technologies and services create a winner-takes-all world where the frontrunner takes everything," and emphasized, "We must push forward existing policies with greater speed and quickly accumulate visible achievements. A sustainable digital innovation ecosystem harmonized between the government and the private sector must be established."

She also stressed strengthening research and development to prepare for the new era. Specifically, she mentioned responding to climate change, achieving carbon neutrality, space development, bio technology, and self-reliance in semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment technologies as examples. She stated, "Through bold and challenging R&D investments, we will strengthen fundamental technology research to secure future growth engines," and added, "With the R&D budget reaching 100 trillion won, we must continuously create an environment where researchers can autonomously, creatively, and stably conduct the research they desire."

Fostering talent in science, technology, and ICT was also identified as a task. Minister Im pointed out, "It is important to continuously support the influx of excellent talent into science and engineering fields across society and their growth into high-level researchers such as master's and doctoral degree holders and postdoctoral researchers," and emphasized, "Ensuring a steady supply of outstanding talent to the industry is a crucial task." True to her role as the first female minister in charge of science and technology, she also promised, "We will create an environment where female personnel can balance work and family and grow."

Finally, Minister Im pledged to contribute to the realization of a warm and inclusive society through science, technology, and ICT.

During the confirmation hearing on the 4th, Minister Im faced allegations including false address registration, plagiarism of papers, and accompanying family members on overseas business trips. However, with support from the academic community, she received her appointment letter from President Moon Jae-in on this day and assumed office.

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