Kim Bok-cheol, Chairman of the National Research Council of Science and Technology, "Uniting the capabilities of 25 research institutes for innovation"

Kim Bok-cheol Appointed as New Chairman on the 26th

Kim Bok-cheol, the new Chairman of the National Science and Technology Research Council (NST). Photo by National Science and Technology Research Council

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Kim Bok-cheol, the newly appointed chairman of the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST), emphasized in his inauguration speech on the 26th that "the council must unite the capabilities of 25 government-funded research institutes (GRIs) employing around 20,000 people to establish a new vision, direction, and leadership that can drive future-oriented innovation and lead the nation's science and technology competitiveness."

Kim Bok-cheol, the new chairman, stated, "As a researcher who has worked at GRIs for 33 years, the position of chairman of the council is an honorable one, and I feel a strong responsibility to wisely resolve the current issues faced by the GRIs," expressing his commitment.

The National Research Council of Science & Technology was established in 2014 by integrating the Basic and Industrial Technology Research Councils under the 'Act on the Establishment, Operation, and Fostering of Government-Funded Research Institutions in the Field of Science and Technology.' It was founded with the goal of supporting, fostering, and managing 25 government-funded research institutes in the science and technology sector to contribute to national research policy support and the development of the knowledge industry.

He also said, "Since the 25 science and technology GRIs came together to form the council in 2014, efforts have been made to innovate the GRIs by building a convergence and cooperation ecosystem to solve national issues and challenges. However, the achievements felt by the nation and its people have been insufficient," adding, "The GRIs must reestablish themselves as the central axis of South Korea's science and technology innovation within the National Innovation System (NIS) and fulfill their historic mission as nationally representative public research institutions that resonate with the country and its citizens."

To this end, he presented five key tasks: ▲ Preparing for the nation's mid- to long-term future as public research institutions and conducting non-economic, high-risk long-term research for the public good ▲ Conducting creative and challenging research based on symbiotic and effective convergence and cooperation among GRIs, industry, academia, and research institutes ▲ Supporting the growth of young researchers and establishing a foundation for nurturing excellent research groups ▲ Fostering next-generation technical talent and technology companies ▲ Strengthening the council's capabilities.

Chairman Kim stated, "We will redefine the direction and status of science and technology GRIs to enable them to leap forward as research institutions leading the nation's new future in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Korean New Deal, and carbon neutrality, which represent major domestic and international technological transformations," and emphasized, "During my three-year term, I will listen to the voices of GRI members, communicate with them, and lead openness and convergence within the GRI community to set the GRIs and the council on the right path."

Chairman Kim took over the leadership of the council after former chairwoman Lim Hye-sook vacated the position in May to become the Minister of Science and ICT.

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