People Power Party Announces Space and Science Technology Pledge: "5% of Budget to R&D Investment"

Amending the Framework Act on Science and Technology
Guaranteeing the Rights of Science and Technology Professionals
Kim Moonsu Visits the Korea Aerospace Administration
Listening to Voices from the Field

On May 14, the People Power Party announced plans to invest more than 5% of the national budget in research and development (R&D), and to establish both a Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology and a Special Ambassador for Science.

The Policy Headquarters of the People Power Party unveiled its second pledge under the "New Daily Promise for the People of Korea," focusing on space and science technology initiatives.

The party stated that it would invest more than 5% of national budget expenditures in R&D and amend the "Framework Act on Science and Technology" to improve the treatment of science and technology professionals. The aim is to enhance the pride and status of those in the field through active investment and legislative reform.

Yonhap News

The party will also establish a Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology and a Special Ambassador for Science. A new Deputy Prime Minister for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Science and Technology, and Information and Communications will be created, equipped with the budget and organizational structure needed to support R&D.

The budget for national strategic technology R&D will be expanded to 1 trillion KRW within five years. The intent is to provide stable support for basic research, which is the foundation of scientific and technological advancement.

Additionally, the party announced plans to innovate the R&D investment system. Legislation will be passed to abolish the preliminary feasibility study for R&D projects, reducing the research initiation period by up to three years compared to the current process. The party also plans to lower barriers between ministries and government-funded research institutes by expanding integrated review, allocation, and joint research efforts.

To foster a more challenging research environment, the party will expand innovative and challenge-driven R&D projects that do not use success or failure evaluation grades, and will develop performance indicators suitable for such projects. The party is also considering exempting annual reports and interim evaluations for basic research projects.

Support for science and engineering talent will be strengthened. The budget for research life incentives for graduate students in science and engineering will be doubled to a maximum of 12 billion KRW. Scholarships for outstanding master's and doctoral students will be provided to 10,000 recipients, a tenfold increase from the current number.

The People Power Party also revealed a roadmap for a "lunar exploration in 2032 and Mars exploration in 2045." The plan includes developing a launch vehicle engine by 2027, landing on the Moon in 2032, and exploring Mars in 2045. To support this, the party will expand the space fund to 100 billion KRW to strengthen the technological capabilities of space companies and support commercialization.

The Policy Headquarters stated, "The People Power Party will support space and science technology professionals so they can conduct research in better environments, ensuring that their achievements make life more convenient for the public and help Korea become one of the world's top five science and technology powerhouses."

Meanwhile, on this day, People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsu is scheduled to visit the Korea Aerospace Administration in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, to listen to voices from the field and encourage those involved.

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