Yoon Seok-yeol: "Guarantee Political Neutrality in Science and Technology... Boldly Abolish Regulations on New Industries" (Comprehensive)

Announcement of Five Major Science Pledges Including National Long-Term Research Projects
Emphasis on Priority Support by Sector Such as Materials, Components, and Equipment

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Junyi Park and Hyunji Kwon] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, announced his first science policy pledge, stating that the next government will guarantee the political neutrality of national research institutions and establish standards for expertise. He views the current administration’s nuclear phase-out policy as driven by political rather than scientific judgment and plans to implement measures to prevent recurrence. Along with this, Yoon proposed establishing a presidential advisory committee to formulate a science and technology strategic roadmap and introducing a ‘long-term research project system’ for science and technology.

On the 8th, at the ‘Science and Technology Will Change the Future of Korea’ forum held at the Korea Science and Technology Center, Yoon said, "The current administration has dragged politics into the realm of science and technology," adding, "The nuclear phase-out policy hastily pushed through based on political judgment is a prime example." He mentioned this in the context of introducing a ‘national long-term research project system’ to prevent confusion caused by changes in science and technology policies depending on the administration. Yoon also pledged to continuously support research funding for selected projects regardless of government changes and to guarantee the political neutrality of national research institutions.

Including this, Yoon presented five policies, stating, "I will lead Korea to become the world’s first ‘science and technology leading nation’." This is the first time Yoon has announced a ‘science policy pledge’ apart from regional pledges.

According to the pledge, Yoon plans to create a presidential advisory public-private joint science and technology committee. This committee, composed of researchers, developers, industry experts, and science and technology administrators, will formulate the science and technology strategic roadmap and government policies. Last month, Yoon mentioned ‘sector-specific public-private joint committees’ in his ‘National Administration Plan’ and emphasized that "the president will be at the center of this."

He particularly pledged to establish a system that prioritizes support for creative research and issue-focused research. Regarding this, Yoon explained, "The current management system focuses on facilitating audits, which often disadvantages creative and challenging projects," and added, "We plan to reform the research management system to tolerate risk and failure and encourage challenges." By sector, he said research and development funds will be prioritized for national challenges such as infectious diseases, fine dust, carbon neutrality, low birthrate, aging, and for solving urgent issues like competitiveness in materials, parts, and equipment.

He also promised to create an autonomous research environment. He said, "The government should provide support but not interfere," and "We will introduce an international standard evaluation and verification system to establish objectivity and transparency in evaluations." He pledged to design a system to nurture young scientists, planning to open specialized training courses linking universities and companies by technology field. In particular, he said a reward system will be established to help young and emerging researchers grow into mid-career researchers, and tailored support will be provided throughout career stages, including international training and expansion of national research projects.

Yoon then engaged in a discussion with panelists. When asked by a panelist, "Regarding semiconductor materials, parts, and equipment competitiveness, a cooperative environment with overseas large corporations for Korean SMEs should be created. How will you support the development of Korea’s basic science?" Yoon responded, "To be number one, applied technology alone is not enough; massive investment and manufacturing conditions must be created," adding, "For example, Brazil is known for good soccer not just because of the national team but because there is a player base hundreds of times larger. I think many researchers should form such an ecosystem, developing from basic fields to commercialization and applied technology."

When asked, "In a situation where conflicts frequently arise between fostering new industries and existing industries’ interests, how can the state play a role in conflict mediation?" Yoon replied, "Regulations on new industries should be boldly abolished or not applied as much as possible," adding, "Society can gain much more, and in the process, existing industry regulations should also be eased together." He also noted, "There are cases where easing existing industry regulations hinders new industry development, so that needs to be considered."

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