[Insight & Opinion] Precarious National Science and Technology Strategy

The president has instructed all ministries to undergo ‘industrialization.’ During the 11th Emergency Economic and Livelihood Meeting, which was broadcast live nationwide, he instantly accepted Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choo Kyung-ho’s clumsy proposal that ‘a Ministry of Defense Industry combining the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Industry is necessary.’ Of course, this does not mean an immediate government reorganization. It was merely a desperate request expressed in such a way that all ministries support and promote national strategic industries and focus on exports.

President Yoon Suk-yeol has shown special interest in science and technology. He emphasized ‘science and technology-centered governance’ and firmly promised ‘science-based, precise quarantine’ and the ‘abolition of nuclear phase-out.’ At a Cabinet meeting, he also listened to a special lecture on semiconductors by the Minister of Science and ICT. The Ministry of Education, previously constrained by regulations, announced a groundbreaking semiconductor talent cultivation plan, influenced by the president’s special attention. As a follow-up measure to the Itaewon tragedy, he proposed a crowd density accident prevention plan using drones. He also pledged the complete abolition of blind recruitment, which has been weakening the capabilities of research institutions in the science and technology sector.

Although many initiatives were introduced, the response from the science and technology community has been lukewarm. Science and technology-centered governance has been absent from the start. This is true even within the Presidential Office. The position of Science and Technology Secretary under the Chief Presidential Secretary for Economic Affairs feels very unfamiliar. It seems it was not even present at the Science and Technology Advisory Meeting, which was held with great difficulty after six months.

The once noisy science-based quarantine has also fizzled out. Vaccination progress is sluggish, and the response to the seventh wave of infections is disappointing. The Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency is struggling amid trivial personal controversies. The Chairperson of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee has not gained the social trust demanded by their prestigious title. The loudly promised abolition of nuclear phase-out has yet to show visible results.

The intention behind mentioning the ‘industrialization’ of all ministries is understandable. No one can deny the importance of national strategic industries. The actual achievements of K-Defense Industry are attractive. However, no matter how urgent the reality is, water and fire must be distinguished. We must not confuse ‘defense (國防),’ which protects our survival from North Korea’s ongoing threatening missile provocations, with a means to secure national strategic technology. This is unacceptable even as a private joke between the president and the deputy prime minister for economic affairs. The Ministry of Defense, which must overcome North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, should not be distracted by profit-making tasks related to K-Defense Industry. Such tasks should be boldly transferred to the Ministry of Industry as a matter of course.

For the president, science and technology can only be a means to overcome the economic crisis. This is the harsh reality of our society, overflowing with politicians and bureaucrats who mistakenly take pride in the absurdity of ‘not knowing science.’ It is unrealistically naive to expect that President Yoon Suk-yeol, a law school graduate, would be an exception.

Now, science and technology must awaken. The illusion and misconception that science and technology grow through the leader’s interest and affection no longer fit our reality. In the 21st century, science and technology can only flourish on the soil of public interest and affection, not that of a leader. Science and technology without public empathy and support have no meaning or value. North Korea’s reality is the most certain proof. Moreover, the ‘freedom’ emphasized by the president can only be realized through rationality, objectivity, openness, democracy (anti-authoritarianism), and criticality, which are the core of modern science and technology.

Lee Deok-hwan, Professor Emeritus at Sogang University (Chemistry and Science Communication)

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