"Major Innovation in Science and Technology R&D"... Reducing Integrated Reviews and Preliminary Feasibility Study Targets

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT Reveals at President Yoon's Work Report on the Afternoon of the 15th

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The government is innovating the R&D system by integrating research and development (R&D) budget allocation and improving the preliminary feasibility study system to secure a super-gap technological edge in response to the era of global technology hegemony competition. It will also take the lead in future innovative technologies such as quantum, bio, 6G, and nuclear power, and provide long-term and stable research funding for up to 10 years to outstanding researchers.

On the afternoon of the 15th, Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT announced these plans during a work report to President Yoon Seok-yeol at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul. First, the R&D system will be innovated into a private-sector-centered system that focuses on selection and concentration and is flexible to change. By September, national survival strategic technologies will be selected, and a strategic roadmap will be prepared by next year. About ten areas are being reviewed, including semiconductors, displays, space and aviation, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum, and next-generation nuclear power. Additionally, to achieve goals efficiently, an integrated R&D budget allocation and adjustment system for cross-ministerial projects will be introduced from next year. A public-private consultative body involving Minister Lee and major company representatives will be formed to gather opinions. The top private experts will be selected as project managers (PMs) to directly design super-gap strategic technology projects. Support for regionally specialized mega projects and R&D special zones will also be strengthened.

The preliminary feasibility study system for R&D will be improved to respond effectively to rapid technological environment changes. Currently, projects with a total cost of 50 billion KRW or more must undergo the study, which takes uniformly 9 to 10 months or more, and no modifications are allowed after passing. Going forward, the study will only be conducted for projects costing 100 billion KRW or more, and the study period will be shortened to 6 months for projects under 300 billion KRW. In emergencies such as COVID-19 or export regulation crises, plans can be changed even after approval.

The government will also take the lead in securing future innovative technologies. It plans to induce private investment through various methods such as public-private joint development, demand and market creation, and private technology transfer, aiming to secure promising new industries based on the R&D foundation. Specifically, emerging fields like quantum, bio, and 6G will focus on early acquisition of basic and foundational technologies and core patents through public-private collaboration. Semiconductors, small modular reactors, and digital new industries will develop next-generation technologies through public demand creation to enter the market in the shortest time. Space technologies such as satellites and launch vehicles will be transferred to companies to foster system integration companies (manufacturing and launch operation) and transition to private sector leadership in the mid to long term. A space industry cluster will be designated and nurtured by next month, while actively promoting space exploration and the Korean Positioning System (KPS) to accelerate the space economy era.

To this end, a cross-ministerial 'Basic Plan for Space Development' will be established by December, and the establishment of an Aerospace Agency will be pursued. To respond to the semiconductor hegemony competition era, a system linking and jointly utilizing equipment and infrastructure owned by industry, academia, and research institutes will be built. About ten institutions, including Seoul National University Semiconductor Research Institute and KAIST, will cooperate.

Efforts to cultivate talent leading technological innovation will also be actively promoted. To secure top-tier talent, starting next year, the "Hanumulpagi" program will provide long-term and stable support for up to 10 years to outstanding researchers. From the second half of this year, the "Talent Ladder" program will continuously offer growth opportunities to capable talents, and support overseas training for excellent postdoctoral researchers at advanced institutions (about 50 people annually from next year). A global track program will also be introduced to attract overseas scholars and talents, exemplified by Professor Heo Jun-yi, a Fields Medalist and distinguished professor at the Institute for Basic Science and Princeton University.

In the short term, a flexible academic system called the "Contract Quota System" (tentative name), which combines basic education at universities and applied education at companies, will be newly established in consultation with the Ministry of Education, focusing on fields urgently needing manpower such as semiconductors. Instead of increasing quotas, it will temporarily add quotas within existing departments, with the Ministry of Education starting to revise operational regulations from July. One-year accelerated micro degrees (KAIST, to be introduced in September), integrated digital bachelor's and master's programs (3.5 + 1.5 years from next year), and practical education through company-designed courses linked to recruitment and one-on-one mentoring for employees will also be continuously expanded.

The government will also fully promote national digital innovation by securing world-class digital capabilities and accelerating national digital diffusion. Specifically, it will pursue challenging R&D such as next-generation AI core technology development, expand data linkage and utilization, fundamentally improve the domestic WS industry through private cloud activation, support early market creation in new industries such as platforms, metaverse, and OTT, and strengthen support for youth startups and growth of excellent digital companies. Support through corporate digital transformation vouchers, regional digital innovation projects linked to specialized local industries, and leading digital platform government projects such as simple claims for indemnity insurance and digitalization of real estate transactions were also reported.

With the goal of "technology diffusion that makes everyone happy," support will be provided to reduce communication costs, improve digital accessibility for vulnerable groups, and create a win-win ecosystem on platforms. The launch of a 5G mid-tier plan in August, senior citizen exclusive plans, and expanded tailored support for youth data (first half of next year) will be promoted. Measures such as expanding high-speed internet networks in rural fishing villages, increasing free public Wi-Fi at 10,000 public places nationwide, tripling Wi-Fi speeds on city buses, establishing smart senior centers and meal support platforms for children at risk of malnutrition, and preventing voice phishing through unauthorized subscription prevention and rapid blocking of crime-use numbers will also be implemented.

Minister Lee said, "We will actively promote detailed policies centered on the core tasks announced today to lead the future and contribute to science, technology, and digital-centered national governance."

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