Korea Bets on 'Bandochae'... Yoon Appoints 'Bandochae Expert' as First Science and Technology Chief

Minister Nominee Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT... "Expanding Private Sector Participation in Policy Making"
Announced Official Statement Immediately After Nomination on the 10th

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] On the 10th, Lee Jong-ho, nominee for Minister of Science and ICT, expressed his determination to expand private sector participation in science, technology, and digital policy decisions.

After being nominated as minister by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol that afternoon, Lee issued an official statement saying, "I feel a heavy responsibility at a time when global competition is fierce to secure super-gap strategic technologies and respond to the 4th Industrial Revolution."

He emphasized expanding private sector participation as his first policy goal, stating, "Since the role of the Ministry of Science and ICT is focused on the future, I will devote all my capabilities to leading and responding to future social changes." Lee added, "Through the formation and operation of the new government's public-private joint committee, we will expand private sector participation in the formulation of science, technology, and digital policies to ensure that innovation activities spread throughout the economy and society." Earlier, President-elect Yoon pledged during the last presidential election to establish a presidential public-private joint National Science and Technology Committee to strengthen the role of the private sector so that it can participate substantively in the policy decision-making process, not just as advisors.

Lee continued, "We will support scientists and engineers to passionately engage in challenging basic science research based on autonomy and creativity, and improve the research environment to nurture outstanding talent." He also expressed his determination to "proactively foster new digital industries such as artificial intelligence and metaverse to create new quality jobs during the digital transformation era, and strengthen the cybersecurity response system to build a safe nation."

Meanwhile, Lee will start working from the office set up at Gwanghwamun Post Office in Seoul from the 11th to prepare for the confirmation hearing. Lee is recognized as an AI semiconductor expert and served as director of the Seoul National University Semiconductor Joint Research Center. The science and technology community is paying attention to the connection formed when Lee visited the Seoul National University Semiconductor Research Center shortly after President-elect Yoon decided to run for the presidential election last year. Globally, the semiconductor technology development and industry revitalization are expected to determine South Korea's national fortune amid the US-China technology hegemony competition and the new Cold War triggered by the Russia-Ukraine war. The nomination of Lee is analyzed as President-elect Yoon deeply recognizing the importance of semiconductors and placing it at the core of science and technology policy.

Born in 1966, Lee graduated from Masan High School in Gyeongnam and Kyungpook National University, completed his master's and doctorate degrees at Seoul National University, and served as a professor at Wonkwang University, a researcher at MIT in the United States, a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Seoul National University, and a private member of the Ministry of Science and ICT's Special Committee on Materials, Parts, and Equipment Technology. He is regarded as a top expert in AI semiconductor technology, credited with opening a new chapter in semiconductors by developing the world's first 3D semiconductor device technology called ‘Bulk FinFET’ ahead of Intel in the US.

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