South Korea Also Moves to Secure Technological Sovereignty Amid US-China Tech Hegemony Competition

-Confirmed 10 Essential Strategic Technology Protection and Promotion Strategy at the Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology Relations
-Promotion of Legislation and Formation of Ministerial-Level Special Committee
-Active Protection of Advanced Technologies, Strengthening Challenging Research on Lagging Technologies
-Targeting 10 Strategic Technologies Including Semiconductors and Batteries in Essential Industries Such as Supply Chains and National Security
-Aiming to Develop to 90% Level Compared to Leading Technology Countries by 2030

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The government has designated key technologies in 10 major fields, including artificial intelligence, bio, and semiconductors, as 'essential strategic technologies' to protect them, while also deciding to significantly narrow the gap with the leading technology countries by 2030 through focused support and development.

On the morning of the 22nd, the government held the '20th Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting' at the Government Seoul Office, chaired by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, where this decision was made. The government first finalized and announced the 'National Essential Strategic Technology Selection and Development/Protection Strategy' on the same day. According to this, in the era of technological hegemony competition, to secure superiority in strategic technologies and ensure stable industrial development, South Korea selected 10 essential national strategic technologies that it must lead. Artificial intelligence, 5G/6G, advanced bio, semiconductors/displays, secondary batteries, hydrogen, advanced robots/manufacturing, quantum, space/aerospace, and cybersecurity were chosen as 'essential strategic technologies.' The government plans to focus national capabilities on protecting and nurturing these 10 technologies to raise their current technology levels, which are at 60-90% compared to the leading technology countries, to at least 90% by 2030.

To this end, customized strategic directions considering the characteristics of each technology will be established, and comprehensive development and protection strategies from technology acquisition to protection will be formulated. For example, technologies where South Korea is ahead, such as semiconductors and displays, will receive concentrated support for private sector innovation activities, while highly competitive fields like artificial intelligence, advanced robots/manufacturing, hydrogen, and cybersecurity will pursue rapid technology acquisition and commercialization through challenging research and development (R&D). Areas where South Korea is somewhat behind, such as quantum, space/aerospace, and advanced bio, will be nurtured in the mid-to-long term through a public-led open cooperation and accumulation approach.

Additionally, all-around support will be provided to secure technological leadership. Government R&D investment in the 10 essential strategic technologies, which was around 2.7 trillion won this year, will be significantly increased to about 3.3 trillion won next year, and incentives such as simplifying R&D preliminary feasibility studies and designating and nurturing industry-academia-research base institutions will be strengthened. Various supports will also be implemented, including tax incentives for corporate R&D activities and facility investments, training and securing key personnel, and support for securing fundamental and core patents.

Challenging goal-oriented R&D to secure irreplaceable fundamental technologies will also be actively pursued. Following the innovative and disruptive research methods implemented by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), various means such as multiple competitions, mid-term eliminations, utilization of external resources, and M&A will be mobilized to achieve goals, while meticulously managing achievement levels.

Furthermore, support effectiveness will be enhanced through linkage with existing technology systems. Sustainable implementation systems and institutional foundations will also be established. A ministerial-level 'National Essential Strategic Technology Special Committee' will be newly established to oversee strategy formulation, promotion, and implementation. In particular, to steadily pursue the strategy, legislation for the 'Act on the Development of National Essential Strategic Technologies' will also be promoted.

Minister of Science and ICT Lim Hye-sook said, "In the era of technological hegemony competition where technological competitiveness determines the rise and fall of a nation, technological sovereignty is no longer a choice but an essential national mission," adding, "We will concentrate national capabilities on essential strategic technology fields that will determine future national interests and focus on securing irreplaceable, unique fundamental technologies to achieve technological sovereignty."

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