Prime Minister Kim: "98% National R&D Success Rate? Result of Only Easy Research... We Must Reflect Deeply"

The 20th Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology Affairs

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is speaking at the Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 22nd. 2021.12.22 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum pointed out on the 22nd, "The national research and development (R&D) success rate reaches 98%," adding, "It is time for a thorough self-reflection on whether this is the result of investing budgets only in easily achievable research rather than truly necessary projects due to inertia."

On the same day, while presiding over the 'Science and Technology Related Ministers' Meeting' at the Government Seoul Office, Prime Minister Kim said, "Our country leads some industrial technologies such as semiconductors and secondary batteries, but we have not secured many foundational technologies that can be leveraged as a lever in the technology hegemony competition." He continued, "Each ministry manages about nine technology development frameworks and supports over 5,000 technologies, but they are not closely linked and are entangled in complexity, preventing limited resources from being efficiently allocated."

Prime Minister Kim added, "We intend to untangle the intertwined threads among technology support systems and establish a simple and clear management system," stating, "We have selected artificial intelligence, quantum, space and aviation, hydrogen, and other fields as 10 essential strategic technologies that will influence the future national prosperity from the perspectives of new industries and economic security, and we will concentrate national capabilities to secure technological leadership at the level of leading countries within 10 years."

Furthermore, announcing a complete overhaul of the R&D promotion method, he emphasized, "We will strengthen challenging R&D and focus investment on truly necessary research and development," adding, "If there are no results, we will boldly stop, and if potential is confirmed, we will provide full support."

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