Yun Byeong-tae, Mayor of Naju, Meets Ju Yeong-chang, Head of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters, to Request Cooperation

Published 18 Oct.2022 11:12(KST)

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yuk-bong] Yoon Byung-tae, mayor of Naju, Jeollanam-do, recently met with Joo Young-chang, head of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters, who visited Naju, and requested cooperation from the Ministry of Science and ICT to promote regional projects in the national R&D (Research and Development) sector, including the "attraction of an ultra-high-power laser research facility to Naju."

According to the city on the 18th, Joo Young-chang, head of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters, attended the local science and technology comprehensive plan meeting and public hearing held at the Centum Hotel in Naju on the 14th to gather opinions from industry, academia, and research experts in the Honam and Jeju regions regarding the 6th Local Science and Technology Promotion Comprehensive Plan.

About 20 people attended the meeting, including Joo Young-chang, head of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters; Mayor Yoon Byung-tae; Jung Byung-sun, president of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Planning and Evaluation; Shin Yong-jin, president of the Korea Photonics Technology Institute; Joo Dong-sik, president of the Green Energy Research Institute; presidents and vice presidents of Gunsan National University, Chonnam National University, and Jeju National University; and officials from Jeollanam-do, Jeonbuk, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and Gwangju Metropolitan City.

Through the meeting, Mayor Yoon requested the head of the headquarters to support "attracting an ultra-high-power laser research facility," "increasing national funding for the Naju Small Giant R&D Special Zone," and "reflecting regional balanced development in the evaluation criteria of national R&D projects" for the balanced regional development of science and technology.

Mayor Yoon said, "Balanced regional development of science and technology has limitations if the country only helps local areas," adding, "Instead of just helping, the government and central ministries should take roles according to the characteristics of local industries and nurture them together with local governments."

He continued, "We ask for active cooperation from the Ministry of Science and ICT so that balanced regional development of science and technology can be achieved through attracting an ultra-high-power laser research facility to Naju for the completion of the Korea Energy Technology University (KENTECH) and industry-academia-research cluster."

He also proposed site advantages of the ultra-high-power laser research facility, such as "affordable land," "ease of securing talent," and "establishment of research and transportation infrastructure."

Mayor Yoon emphasized, "Compared to other local governments, Naju can select land early due to affordable land prices, and with specialized educational institutions like KENTECH and GIST nearby, efficient collaboration through securing talent in the science and technology field is easy," adding, "The city’s residential environment and transportation infrastructure are also well established, making it an optimal location for a large research facility."

Along with this, Mayor Yoon requested improvements to the preliminary feasibility study operation guidelines to include "regional balanced development" as an essential indicator in national R&D project feasibility studies and stable annual budget support for the normal promotion of the Naju Small Giant Special Zone project.

Earlier, on the 28th of last month, Mayor Yoon attended the "National Assembly Discussion on the Feasibility of Establishing an Ultra-High-Power Laser Research Facility" held at the National Assembly, expressing the necessity of attracting a national large-scale research facility and the passionate wishes of city and provincial residents.