Sungkyung Cho, 1st Vice Minister of Science and ICT, "National R&D Requires Revolutionary Decision"

Major Reform Announced in Inaugural Speech on the 3rd
Unusual Emphasis on 'Ideology' and 'Patriotism' Draws Attention

Cho Seong-gyeong, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, attracted attention on the 3rd by distributing an inaugural address emphasizing 'patriotism,' the 'ideology of liberal democracy,' and a sweeping reform.

Appointed on the 29th of last month, Vice Minister Cho began work immediately on the 3rd without a separate inauguration event, distributing only his inaugural address. However, the address contained a stronger message than any previous vice minister. He repeatedly emphasized "Republic of Korea" throughout the speech, saying, for example, "Upon assuming the position of 1st Vice Minister of the Republic of Korea Ministry of Science and ICT," and "Members of the Republic of Korea Ministry of Science and ICT."

He also clearly stated his ideological orientation by mentioning 'liberal democracy' several times. From the beginning, he addressed "Members of the Republic of Korea Ministry of Science and ICT who love liberal democracy," explicitly referring to a specific ideology. He argued, "Science, technology, and innovation are the core driving forces for the leap and growth of the Republic of Korea and are key to expanding our freedom and protecting liberal democracy," adding, "Science and technology have already become absolute weapons not only in the economy but also in diplomacy and security, and therefore a new order is being created where research and development and sharing of achievements occur only among countries that share the values of liberal democracy."

He even emphasized the phrase 'revolutionary decision' to urge reform. Vice Minister Cho said, "We cannot overcome this critical period by simply tweaking systems or adjusting budgets," adding, "A revolutionary decision beyond innovation is necessary. And courageous action is required."

Vice Minister Cho particularly stressed innovation in national research and development (R&D) as the target of reform. He questioned, "The national R&D budget of the Republic of Korea exceeds 30 trillion won annually. What is the purpose of investing this enormous budget?" and pointed out, "It is an investment in the future of the Republic of Korea and our dreams. Research and development investments to upgrade existing technologies are not the responsibility of the state." He continued, "The national R&D budget should strengthen the foundational capabilities of Korea's science, technology, and innovation and invest in the potential to become the world's best," highlighting the cultivation of scientific and technological talent as a core task.

Specifically, he mentioned goals such as creating an R&D platform where overseas Korean scientific and technological talents can collaborate, strengthening the competitiveness of young researchers through joint projects with world-renowned research institutions and researchers, and improving facilities and equipment at universities and research institutes.

Meanwhile, Vice Minister Cho, a former professor at Myongji University, is part of President Yoon Seok-yeol's close circle, having served as the Presidential Office's Science and Technology Secretary since 2022. He was appointed abruptly after President Yoon directly targeted the 'division of national R&D budgets' at the National Fiscal Strategy Meeting at the end of last month. As an energy policy expert, he is somewhat distant from university and government-funded research sites.

Below is the full text of Vice Minister Cho's inaugural address.

To the members of the Republic of Korea Ministry of Science and ICT who love liberal democracy,

Science, technology, and innovation are the foundation of our economic and social systems and essential elements of our lives. Science, technology, and innovation are the core driving forces for the leap and growth of the Republic of Korea and are key to expanding our freedom and protecting liberal democracy. The level of science, technology, and innovation determines the competitiveness of a nation and defines our future.

Science and technology have already become absolute weapons not only in the economy but also in diplomacy and security, and therefore a new order is being created where research and development and sharing of achievements occur only among countries that share the values of liberal democracy.

The Republic of Korea Ministry of Science and ICT is responsible for everything from the beginning to the end of science, technology, and innovation. Therefore, at this moment in July 2023, the Ministry must create the future of the Republic of Korea with a weighty responsibility incomparable to any time in the past.

To the members of the Ministry of Science and ICT who are contemplating the future of the Republic of Korea,

The future is not given but created together by those who share universal values. The future of the Republic of Korea depends on the level of science and technology and the intensity of innovation. Of course, science, technology, and innovation alone cannot achieve everything. Laws, systems, and culture that properly implement these must be firmly supported.

The national R&D budget of the Republic of Korea exceeds 30 trillion won annually. What is the purpose of investing this enormous budget? What outcomes do we seek through national R&D?

The national R&D budget is an investment in the future of the Republic of Korea and our dreams. Technologies that generate immediate profit can be more efficiently and quickly developed by companies. Research and development investments to upgrade existing technologies are not the responsibility of the state.

The national R&D budget should strengthen the foundational capabilities of Korea's science, technology, and innovation and invest in the potential to become the world's best. The core of this is nurturing scientists and scientific and technological talents.

To this end, it is important to create an R&D platform where capable scientific and technological talents with genetic and psychological roots in Korea scattered around the world can engage in intense debates and research together to create creative value. This means creating a database and public forum where it is possible to share who is researching what and where, what obstacles have been encountered in the technology development process, and find the best colleagues when starting research with new ideas.

It is essential to conduct programs and projects with world-class researchers and research institutions to help our young researchers build competitiveness. Research and development do not necessarily have to be conducted domestically. Rather, going abroad and directly experiencing how to achieve world-class status is desirable to infinitely strengthen our capabilities.

Domestically, competitive universities and research institutions should be supported to equip related equipment and facilities so that students and young researchers with dreams of becoming scientists can experiment and research without envy.

To the members of the Ministry of Science and ICT who are determined to make the Republic of Korea the best in the world,

We have done very well so far. In times when making a living was difficult, we boldly invested in infrastructure for nurturing scientific and technological talents and continuously supported research and development, contributing to transforming Korea from a country requesting support to one requesting cooperation from countries worldwide.

The status of the Republic of Korea has changed like this, and the global competition for technological supremacy is intensifying as if it were a war.

Now we must change as well. We cannot overcome this critical period by simply tweaking systems or adjusting budgets. A revolutionary decision beyond innovation is necessary. And courageous action is required.

There may be different thoughts on how to do this. However, if we share the idea not of comfortably enjoying the present by appropriately compromising with customs but of leaving a much better Republic of Korea to future generations, we can unite our strength and succeed.

Let us create a system and culture that can properly invest research and development budgets so that our future generations can nurture dreams of science and technology, have confidence in innovation, and devote all their passion. Let Korea's science, technology, and innovation become a global model, and let Korean scientific and technological talents be the most desired partners for researchers worldwide. Let us run forward.

I will listen carefully, run with my best effort, and do well.

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