Sim Sang-jung Criticizes Yoon Seok-yeol: "RE100, Ignorant Certification... Not a Nuclear Power Alternative"

Indirect Criticism at Science and Technology Policy Forum Hosted by 30 Organizations Including Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies on the 10th
"Reinstate the Vice Minister of Science and Technology to Lead Green Innovation Technology Development"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] Sim Sang-jung, the presidential candidate of the Justice Party, announced plans to revive the position of Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology to serve as the chief overseer of technological innovation in the green sector. She also launched a series of criticisms against Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party candidate, who recently sparked controversy over science and technology policies during a broadcast debate.

On the morning of the 10th, Sim attended a major presidential candidates' science and technology policy debate hosted by the Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies and 30 other organizations. She pledged to place green technological innovation at the center of national governance to address the climate crisis.

In her keynote speech, Sim stated, "While our country has reached a considerable level in digital transformation, our response to the climate crisis and green innovation is very inadequate." She referred to the recent controversy involving Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks on RE100 (Renewable Energy 100%) during a broadcast debate. She said, "This incident shows how backward the political sphere's awareness of climate change response is," indirectly criticizing Yoon. Regarding Yoon's mention of nuclear power, she added, "It is reckless to mention nuclear power, which can cause irreversible disasters, while dealing with the climate crisis." She further criticized, "Nuclear power, which leaves behind unmanageable waste, is not a viable alternative, and debates over small modular reactors (SMRs), for which disposal sites have not been secured, are futile."

Sim emphasized the revival of the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology position and a complete overhaul of governance. She said, "By reinstating the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology, we will oversee and coordinate national research and development (R&D) while also taking charge of future technology development strategies such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, and space development." She promised, "Not only will we strengthen formal authority, but we will also appoint experts who are well-acquainted with research sites as ministers and vice ministers of the Ministry of Science and ICT, creating an environment where capable researchers can work with conviction." She also announced plans to reorganize the Ministry of Science and ICT's organizational structure around long-term strategies and establish a system that allows researchers to focus on long-term research for over ten years.

Sim also pledged to abolish the project-based research system (PBS), a major issue in the science and technology community, and allow national research institutes to freely select research topics with 70% of their research funds. She said, "PBS improvement has been a recurring topic in national audits to support stable basic science research, but little progress has been made. The PBS system, which produces bureaucrat-led research results, lacks substance and diminishes researchers' motivation. We will abolish it and guarantee the freedom to research topics, similar to Germany's Max Planck Institute, to produce world-class outcomes."

Sim introduced additional pledges, including establishing mid- to long-term research organizations for five major innovative technologies, correcting regional disparities in R&D, expanding local R&D and renewable energy, laying the foundation for voluntary regional science and technology development, and creating resident-participatory innovation research hubs. She also emphasized expanding support for women and young researchers.

Below is a Q&A session between Sim and the panelists.

▲ Lee Jun-young, President of the Graduate Student Council at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology = "Only 10% of young researchers earn more than 1.8 million won per month. How should young scientists persuade the government and schools to recognize their research labor?"

-(Sim) Under current labor laws, employers determine worker status. As a result, 10 million working citizens are excluded from being recognized as workers. To guarantee equal rights for all workers who earn income through work, I propose changing the labor law to a 'Working Citizens Act' as my number one pledge. If young researchers are recognized as workers, they can explicitly and stably receive government support such as projects. The deeply rooted apprenticeship-style research system's limitations should be shared by the government and society.

▲ Lee Jung-ah, Herald Economy Reporter = "To what extent do you plan to guarantee the role and authority of the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology?"

-(Sim) The Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology will be the chief responsible person for research and development to overcome the climate crisis. Currently, the Ministry of Economy and Finance acts as a senate above ministries, controlling them with financial authority. Once the president's philosophy and national governance focus are established, there will be no need to struggle with the Ministry of Economy and Finance. It is crucial that a president who explicitly recognizes green transition as the core of digital-equipped green technology is elected. The leader's philosophy and vision for national governance are key. A president aiming for a great transformation and foothold will not make the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology a mere ornament.

▲ Hong Sung-joo, Head of R&D Strategy Research Division at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Policy (STEPI) = "What is your strategy for securing technological competitiveness and fostering new industries in our country?"

-(Sim) Science and technology must be at the center of the future great transformation. First, we will increase R&D investment and place technological innovation in the green sector at the forefront. Climate change requires a complete restructuring of everything. The green technology transition to respond to climate change is itself the country's survival, security, and corporate competitiveness. Even the RE100 controversy shows that perceiving climate change response as a cost can lead to crisis. Second, we will focus investment on developing future leading technologies such as quantum technology that surpass existing technological limits. Third, from conflicts with Japan, we realized the importance of developing and localizing parts and materials technology and self-reliance. We will strongly promote and support R&D in this area.

▲ Kim Hyun-ki, Senior Researcher at the Korea Railroad Research Institute = "The retirement age for researchers at national research institutes was reduced to 62 during the IMF crisis. Do you plan to restore it?"

-(Sim) It was originally 65 but lowered to 62 during the IMF crisis. It is reasonable to extend the retirement age for excellent senior researchers. We need to find ways for them to continue contributing to the country. However, extending retirement age raises issues of fairness with younger researchers and equity with other researchers. We have not reached a conclusion yet.

▲ Han Eun-mi, Representative of the Citizens' Coalition for Realization of Right Science and Technology = You mentioned promoting renewable energy and carbon neutrality together to address climate change and energy crises, but there are stark differences among candidates. What scientific and detailed strategies can reach the public?

-(Sim) The core of Greenomics is overcoming the climate crisis. It must be at the very center of the next government's national governance. In the process, inequalities, regional extinction, and youth opportunity guarantees must also be comprehensively overcome through great transformation. Also, for our country to move beyond catching up to becoming a leading nation, we must stake everything on renewable energy.

▲ How about nurturing science and technology talent?

-(Sim) This is a time of great transformation. We must end the 200-year fossil fuel era, the growth-oriented era, and the 35-year two-party system. We will increase government R&D investment in basic science fields and nurture talent so that universities and regional talents can grow. Abolishing PBS, which wastes budget and restricts creativity, will also help.

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