Launch of Korea Nobel Science Forum... "Nurturing Talent for Han Nobel Science Award"

Inaugural Meeting Held on the 15th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building

On the afternoon of the 15th, attendees are taking a commemorative photo at the founding meeting of the Korea Nobel Science Forum held in Conference Room 2 of the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Korea Nobel Science Forum

[Asia Economy Reporter Minyoung Cha] The Korea Nobel Science Forum held its inaugural meeting on the 15th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.

The Korea Nobel Science Forum is a corporation established with the purpose of analyzing the reasons behind the lagging competitiveness in knowledge industries and producing Korean laureates in Nobel science award fields. Professor Emeritus Yoon Seong-sik of Korea University and former POSTECH Vice President Jung Yoon-ha serve as co-representatives.

At the forum's inaugural meeting, Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT, Park Sung-joong, the ruling party secretary of the National Assembly Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee, opposition party secretary Jo Seung-rae, Professor Emeritus Yoon Seong-sik of Korea University, former POSTECH Vice President Jung Yoon-ha, Chair Professor Hyun Taek-hwan of Seoul National University, and about 60 related personnel attended.

National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo said in a video congratulatory message, "It is regrettable that while nearby Japan has produced as many as 25 laureates, our country has yet to produce a single Nobel science award winner," adding, "I will support the Korea Nobel Science Forum, which was launched to identify the causes and pursue solutions."

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT, who attended the inaugural meeting, said, "Since the establishment of the National Research Foundation of Korea in 1977 and the support for basic research projects in 1978, our country’s history of promoting basic science is relatively short compared to other countries," and encouraged, "I hope the Korea Nobel Science Forum, launched by experts, businesspeople, and organization heads, will become a vital force for Korean basic science."

At the event, Jung Yoon-ha, representative of the Korea Nobel Science Forum, presented the forum’s future directions, including ▲ creating an ecosystem to spread the foundation of science and technology ▲ nurturing capable young scientists ▲ establishing a healthy research environment and reward system ▲ researching creative and challenging knowledge production methods ▲ discovering successful models of knowledge talent.

Opinions emphasizing the importance of a private-led forum were also expressed, as science and technology are directly linked to national security. Kim Ho-rim, director of the AI Convergence Research Center at Dongyang University, said, "In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), science and technology go beyond national industrial competitiveness and are directly connected to national security," adding, "For the development of top-level science and technology, not only vertical support methods but also horizontal support methods involving private participation are necessary, making the forum’s role important."

Yoon Seong-sik, representative of the Korea Nobel Science Forum, emphasized, "Only when Korean talents are continuously produced in Nobel science awards can we be a truly advanced country," and added, "Since scholars and businesspeople have gathered in one place, we will strive to reform systems, stimulate interest in knowledge production capabilities, and create a healthy intellectual soil."

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