Yoon: "Science and Technology Are the Source of National Competitiveness... Over 25 Trillion Won Invested in 5 Years"

-President Yoon Chairs 'National Science and Technology Advisory Council' for the First Time... Investment in 12 Key National Strategic Technologies Including Space, Nuclear Power, and Quantum
-Promises Focused Support, Stating "Securing World-Class, Ultra-Leading Technologies... Driving National Strategic Technology Projects to Achieve Results"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is presiding over the full meeting of the National Science and Technology Advisory Council held on the morning of the 28th at the Yongsan Presidential Office building. /

[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 28th, "Science and technology are the core sources of national competitiveness," and announced, "We will invest more than 25 trillion won over five years in 12 national strategic technologies including space, nuclear power, and quantum." President Yoon plans to establish a special law to create a fundamental support system for this purpose.

On the morning of the same day, President Yoon presided over the 'National Science and Technology Advisory Council' for the first time at the Yongsan Presidential Office, saying, "In this era of great transformation characterized by technological hegemony and digital transition, a national-level science and technology strategy that creates a super-gap beyond mere catch-up is extremely important."

The National Science and Technology Advisory Council is the highest decision-making body for science and technology policy chaired by the president. It is responsible for deliberating on science and technology innovation policies, research and development (R&D) budget allocation, and advising on science and technology policy directions. At the meeting, the government announced the 'National Strategic Technology Development Plan' to select and foster 12 national strategic technologies that will contribute to Korea's future growth and economic security in the era of technological hegemony competition. The 12 national strategic technologies are ▲Semiconductors and Displays ▲Secondary Batteries ▲Advanced Mobility ▲Next-generation Nuclear Power (including used nuclear fuel disposal technology) ▲Advanced Bio ▲Aerospace and Marine ▲Hydrogen ▲Cybersecurity ▲Artificial Intelligence ▲Next-generation Communications ▲Advanced Robotics and Manufacturing ▲Quantum.

President Yoon identified the 12 technologies as "Korea's new growth engines," promising, "We will invest more than 25 trillion won over the next five years to secure world-class, super-gap technologies and promote national strategic technology projects through public-private cooperation to achieve definite results." He added, "By enacting a special law for fostering national strategic technologies, we will establish a sustainable implementation system and concentrate all government capabilities on preparing for the future." Additionally, he requested the council to consider prioritizing the complete abolition of public institution blinds that have hindered securing excellent researchers.

On his way to work that day, President Yoon also mentioned, "The most important factor for national strategic technologies is the government's strong leadership." While science and technology emerge from private creativity, strategic technologies can only be realized when the government provides strong support and leadership. On this day, President Yoon presented appointment letters to 19 private members, including Vice Chairman Lee Woo-il. Government representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and Ministry of Education attended, along with experts from research institutions such as the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), KAIST, and Dankook University, in addition to the private members.

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