Ryu Gwang-jun, Head of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters, "R&D Supplementary Budget Under Internal Review"

"Budget Restructuring to Accelerate Leading-Type R&D,
Field and Public Will Notice the Change"
March Announcement on 'R&D Investment Direction' to Refine Selection and Concentration

Ryu Gwang-jun, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said on the 13th that the recently discussed supplementary budget for research and development (R&D) is "of course being reviewed internally."

On the same day, at a media day held by the National Science and Technology Advisory Council in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Director Ryu stated, "We are looking into what cannot wait. This is not with the supplementary budget in mind, but rather part of the government's appropriate response measures to any situation."

Ryu Gwang-jun, Director General of the Science and Technology Innovation Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, is speaking at the Media Day event held on the 13th at the National Science and Technology Advisory Council conference room in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Jong-hwa

On this day, the Democratic Party of Korea proposed a supplementary budget of 35 trillion won to the government and ruling party, suggesting 5 trillion won for R&D-related supplementary budgets, including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and R&D budget increases.

Director Ryu clarified his position, saying, "Regarding whether to have a supplementary budget, there must be bipartisan agreement, discussions with the fiscal authorities, and party-government discussions, so we are cautious about stating our position on the supplementary budget. Our priority is to properly execute the allocated budget."

This means that they have not been preparing the supplementary budget in advance, and since measures are in place to respond to any situation, there should be no obstacles even if the supplementary budget is pursued.

He also mentioned the restructuring of the 2024 R&D budget and the prompt execution of the increased R&D budget for this year. Director Ryu began, "It has been a year since the budget restructuring, but I still do not feel at ease. With global technological hegemony competition fiercer than ever, I cannot help but wonder if Korea is doing well right now."

He explained, "The budget restructuring was intended to decisively shift from a catch-up type of R&D to a leading type of R&D, different from the past. Even if the possibility of failure is high, we must conduct world-first and top-level disruptive research. Therefore, we expanded the stage of R&D globally and significantly increased global R&D."

He expressed regret, saying, "This plan was already made in 2023, but it seems that these efforts were largely overshadowed by the 2024 budget restructuring."

Director Ryu emphasized, "If the transition to leading-type R&D has just begun, this year we aim to fully accelerate these efforts so that the research field and the public can truly feel them. To this end, we will broaden communication with various stakeholders and continuously work on improving unnecessary regulations."

Regarding the 'R&D Investment Direction' to be announced next month, he explained that it will include strengthening R&D strategic focus, refining selection and concentration, investing in the commercialization of outcomes, and enhancing organic cooperation among ministries, government, and the private sector.

Director Ryu said, "Although the budget of about 30 trillion won is not small, it is not as large as that of the U.S. or China, so how well it is used is important. We plan to present areas to expand and areas to solidify."

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