Fostering Korean-Style Oppenheimers: Policy and Financial Support for Four Major Science and Technology Institutes to Lead in AI

Koo Yooncheol Meets with Presidents of Four Major Science and Technology Institutes
Fostering "Oppenheimers" Through Accelerated Doctoral Programs
Projects to Be Included in Next Year's Government Budget Proposal

On the 12th, Koo Yooncheol, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance, stated, "As Korea strives to become a leading nation in the era of ultra-innovative AI-driven economy, the government will spare no effort in providing the necessary policy and financial support for the four major science and technology institutes to serve as hubs in regional, national, and global innovation networks."

Deputy Prime Minister Koo made these remarks during a breakfast meeting held at the Government Seoul Office, attended by the presidents of the four major science and technology institutes-Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST)-as well as Koo Hyukchae, First Vice Minister of Science and ICT. He emphasized the importance of "collaboration, role-sharing, and specialization through a regular consultative body among the four institutes."

Koo Yooncheol, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance, is delivering opening remarks at the "4 Major Science and Technology Institutes Presidents Meeting" held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 12th. Ministry of Economy and Finance

This meeting was organized based on the recognition that transitioning to an ultra-innovative economy centered on AI technology is essential for securing new economic growth engines for Korea. Participants discussed strategies for realizing an ultra-innovative economy through the utilization of AI and other technologies, as well as the role of the four institutes as regional innovation hubs.

Deputy Prime Minister Koo stressed that in order to shift from a catch-up economy to a leading economy, Korea must devote its full efforts to a sweeping economic transformation, including the establishment of an ultra-innovative economic ecosystem and the enhancement of corporate competitiveness. He also stated that the four institutes must play a pivotal role as regional bases, leveraging their outstanding research capabilities and infrastructure.

Specifically, Deputy Prime Minister Koo called on the four institutes to: serve as focal points for regional innovation ecosystems; ensure that AI-based transformation and advancement are tailored to regional strategic industries; discover and foster AI-driven innovative startups; and cultivate core AI professionals.

Based on active government support, he also expressed the government's commitment to building an innovation ecosystem utilizing the four institutes, including: the launch of a new Institute Strategy Development (ISD) project to promote large-scale group and convergent research; the expansion of the AI+ Science and Technology National Postdoctoral Fellowship program; and the introduction of an accelerated doctoral program (reducing the duration from 11 to 6 years) to foster "Korean-style Oppenheimers." These initiatives are expected to be included in next year's government budget proposal, which will be announced later this month.

The presidents of the four institutes stated, "As the core of regional innovation ecosystems, the science and technology institutes will nurture creative, convergent talent to lead national future strategic industries such as physical AI and energy. Furthermore, we will support the general public in strengthening their AI capabilities, thereby contributing to the realization of an ultra-innovative economy."

Koo Hyukchae, First Vice Minister, said, "The Ministry of Science and ICT will work to ensure that the four major institutes, which have grown into Korea's leading institutions for ultra-innovative research and talent development, collaborate even more closely with regional companies, local universities, and municipal governments."

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