Ahn Cheol-soo: "Urgent Need to Secure Science and Technology Sovereignty in the Era of Technological Hegemony"

On the 19th, Emphasis on Public-Private Cooperation at the Mid-sized Enterprise CEO Luncheon Lecture Hosted by Junggyeonryeon
Choi Jin-sik, Junggyeonryeon Chairman: "Mid-sized Enterprise R&D Innovation is the Shortcut to Securing Scientific and Technological Sovereignty"

At the luncheon lecture for mid-sized company CEOs hosted by Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo on the 19th, Choi Jin-sik, Chairman of the Korea Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises (left), and Ahn Cheol-soo, Assemblyman of the People Power Party, are having a conversation.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Cheol-hyun] As a solution to overcome the era of technological hegemony, the opinion was presented that securing scientific and technological sovereignty based on public-private cooperation must be expedited. On the 19th, Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, stated this at the mid-sized companies CEO luncheon lecture hosted by the Korea Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises, emphasizing, "We must quickly concretize effective strategies to secure scientific and technological sovereignty, such as reforming the government organization for science and technology, innovating and supporting the science and technology system, nurturing and securing talent, and regulatory innovation."

On the same day, Choi Jin-sik, chairman of the Federation of Mid-sized Enterprises, said in his opening remarks, "Among the 857 companies that have continuously increased R&D investment over the past decade, mid-sized companies, which account for the largest share as the vanguard of enhancing technological competitiveness, are allocated a national R&D budget that is grossly insufficient for on-site demand," adding, "Supporting R&D innovation in mid-sized companies as the main force in traditional industries, ICT, pharmaceuticals and bio, semiconductors, and other advanced sectors is the fastest shortcut to enhancing overall industrial competitiveness, revitalizing the economy, and securing scientific and technological sovereignty."

Chairman Choi added, "Out of 110 national tasks, 29 are related to science and technology, showing the government's clear recognition of the challenges in the era of technological hegemony. Therefore, we must accelerate progressive reforms of technology innovation-friendly systems, such as a complete overhaul of the R&D support system across industries based on growth potential and technological capability."

In response, Representative Ahn stated, "The strategy to lead the second 'Miracle on the Han River' for South Korea's survival and continuous prosperity is none other than the second founding of a science and technology powerhouse," emphasizing, "We must strengthen support for R&D and talent development to enhance corporate capabilities as innovation hubs, as well as actively improve the regulatory environment that stifles corporate challenge spirit."

Representative Ahn also said, "As the strategic competition between the U.S. and China intensifies beyond trade wars into technology wars, global supply chain issues have entered a new phase," adding, "In the era of technological hegemony where major powers fiercely compete to secure advanced technologies, the path we must take is to secure scientific and technological sovereignty by achieving technological independence in advanced industries and technology sectors."

He continued, "An essential condition for securing scientific and technological sovereignty is active cooperation between the public and private sectors," stating, "We will actively support the creation of an effective R&D and talent development environment to back the development of world-class corporate technologies, and carefully review and actively improve unnecessary regulations that hinder new technology development and entry into new industries."

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