'Distinct Approaches' of Yoon and Ahn's Science and Technology Pledges... How Will the Transition Team 'Integrate' Them?

Differences in Science and Technology Policy Pledges During Presidential Candidacy
Disagreements Over Government Reorganization: Revival of Vice Minister for Science and Technology, Location of Aerospace Agency
Unexpected Transition Team Composition: 'People Power Party' as Chief Coordinator, Ahn's Policy Brain as Transition Team Spokesperson

President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol is having tea time with Ahn Cheol-soo, the chairman of the transition committee, at the president-elect's office set up at the Financial Supervisory Service Training Institute in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 14th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] As Yoon Seok-yeol, the president-elect of the 20th Republic of Korea, forms a transition committee chaired by Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and begins planning for the next government and national administration, attention is focused on how the somewhat differing science and technology policy pledges of both sides will 'converge' and take shape during the transition process. In particular, Chairman Ahn, a doctor and founder of the computer security company AhnLab, has taken pride in being a 'science and technology president' and has devoted considerable effort to this field. However, judging from the transition committee appointments, some evaluations suggest that the expectation that Ahn would take the lead in science and technology policy may have been somewhat off the mark.

According to the science and technology community on the 17th, the science and technology policies of President-elect Yoon and Chairman Ahn during their presidential campaigns differ in several respects. First, regarding government reorganization, Yoon’s side announced during the campaign that they were considering establishing a new 'Digital Media Convergence Innovation Ministry.' Recently, there have been forecasts that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology might be revived, similar to during the Lee Myung-bak administration. Yoon pledged a digital platform government utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and extended virtual worlds (metaverse), and the Digital Media Convergence Innovation Ministry is mentioned as the policy ministry to realize this. It is known to be a plan to create an integrated ministry encompassing ICT and broadcasting and telecommunications policies. Yoon also pledged to establish a Presidential-level Public-Private Cooperation National Science and Technology Committee to significantly strengthen public-private governance. Regarding the revival of the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology position, a long-standing wish of the science and technology community, he has not expressed a particular stance. From the perspective of a conservative government aiming for a 'small government,' organizational expansion could be seen as contrary to the basic policy philosophy.

On the other hand, Chairman Ahn pledged during his campaign to revive the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology position. He argued that in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, science and technology must be at the center of national administration, and that elevating the position to Deputy Prime Minister is necessary to strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation, coordination, and policy execution power. Chairman Ahn also proposed establishing a National Future Strategy Committee, which is similar to President-elect Yoon’s National Science and Technology Committee.

Regarding this, Shin Yong-hyun, a former lawmaker known as Chairman Ahn’s science and technology policy brain, explained at a science and technology organization invitation debate on the 14th, "I included the pledge because I thought elevating the position to Deputy Prime Minister would be good to connect research and development outcomes to national administration and coordinate among ministries," adding, "We share the same view with President-elect Yoon’s side on the importance of a science and technology-centered nation. It will be discussed in the transition committee."

Regarding talent recruitment, both sides agree on the 'principle' but have subtle differences in methodology. Both President-elect Yoon and Chairman Ahn agree on placing science and technology experts at the 'core' of national administration. Relatedly, Won Hee-ryong, former Jeju governor who was in charge of policy at Yoon’s campaign headquarters, revealed late last year a plan to install 'science officers' in all ministries including the Blue House and even overseas embassies. Chairman Ahn’s side pledged to install a science and technology chief secretary at the Blue House.

There were also differences in campaign pledges regarding the establishment of a new organization to oversee space development, which is currently scattered across the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of National Defense, and others, including the location. President-elect Yoon pledged to establish an Aerospace Agency in Seocheon, Gyeongnam, where related industries are concentrated. Some argue that aviation tasks, currently under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, should be separated to launch a 'Space Agency.' Chairman Ahn holds the view that it should be established in Daejeon, where research institutions are concentrated. Additionally, Chairman Ahn has a plan to amend the constitution to reflect the elevated status of science and technology, whereas President-elect Yoon has no particular stance on this.

Meanwhile, on this day, President-elect Yoon finalized the transition committee appointments. Initially, Shin Yong-hyun and others recommended by Chairman Ahn were considered likely candidates for the science and technology and education subcommittee secretary, but unexpectedly, Park Sung-joong, a People Power Party lawmaker, was selected. Although he is an administrative expert with a background as a public official, his role as secretary of the National Assembly’s Science, Technology, Information and Communications Committee seems to have been a factor. Former lawmaker Shin was appointed as the transition committee spokesperson. Among the personnel recommended by Chairman Ahn’s side, Professor Nam Ki-tae of Seoul National University’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering was named to the science and technology and education subcommittee. Professor Kim Chang-kyung of Hanyang University’s Creative Convergence Education Institute also became a transition committee member. Additionally, Ko San, known as the first Korean astronaut and affiliated with Ahn Cheol-soo’s faction, joined as a member of the Economic 2 Subcommittee.

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