Yoon: "National Competitiveness Depends on Science and Technology... Will Not Penalize Innovation Research Failures"

50th Anniversary Future Vision Declaration Ceremony of Daedeok Innopolis
Dialogue with Emerging Researchers Ahead of the Event
Yoon: "We Must Become a Global Leading First Mover for Leap Forward"

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 2nd, "Innovative research does not distinguish between success and failure, so failure will not be a problem." This is interpreted as his intention to support researchers' innovative studies, as future national competitiveness will be determined by science and technology.

President Yoon said this during a dialogue with global outstanding young researchers held at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science in Daejeon in the afternoon, according to the presidential office. "The government will support our researchers so that they can passionately take on innovative research challenges," he said.

The Daedeok Innopolis is the center of South Korea's science and technology, where about 17,000 PhD-level talents, 26 government-funded research institutes, over 2,400 companies, and seven universities gather, generating approximately 20 trillion won in added value annually.

President Yoon took time to listen to questions from attendees and explain plans and government policies to create an innovative and challenging research environment for young researchers.

He then visited the '50th Anniversary Future Vision Declaration Ceremony of Daedeok Research and Development Special Zone' held at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, emphasizing the importance of science and technology. In his congratulatory speech, President Yoon said, "We must prepare for a new 50 years on the foundation of the past 50 years of glory," and stressed, "The nation's competitiveness depends on science and technology."

He added, "It is time to transform into a first mover leading the world for a new leap forward," urging, "We must shift from quantitative growth to qualitative growth, and from a follower to a leader."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In his speech, President Yoon said, "The national research and development (R&D) budget should be primarily used to cultivate basic foundational technologies and next-generation technological capabilities that are difficult for the private sector and market to invest in, thereby laying the groundwork for future growth and prosperity."

He also addressed recent controversies regarding R&D budget cuts, emphasizing that the budget must be used according to its intended purpose. President Yoon stated, "The national R&D financial budget should be focused on nurturing basic foundational technologies and next-generation technological capabilities that are difficult for the private sector and market to invest in," and stressed, "We must invest in innovative and challenging research aiming to be the best in the world to secure our future growth and prosperity."

In an interview video released by SBS D Forum on the same day, President Yoon mentioned criticisms that although the R&D budget increased by 10 trillion won from 20 trillion won to 30 trillion won over three years since 2019, it was insufficient in creating growth engines. He said, "If the researchers are given the same 30 million won per year, it only amounts to about 2 to 3 million won per month, which is merely a supplementary allowance," referring to the need for budget redistribution aligned with its purpose.

He also promised to expand opportunities for global research cooperation, innovate regulations for R&D, and improve the national contract law system related to research facility procurement.

President Yoon further stated, "The world is now in an era of 'cluster versus cluster' competition, where technology, capital, and talent are concentrated," and pledged that the government will support Daedeok Innopolis to become an international hub of innovation clusters through global research cooperation.

The event was attended by about 300 people, including representatives from the science and technology academia, companies, research institutes, universities in Daejeon, and local residents.

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