People Power Party's Choi Hyungdoo: "World's 5th Largest R&D Investment, Zero Nobel Science Laureates"

Fostering and Protecting National Scientific Leaders
Through a Nationwide Nobel Initiative Policy

Choi Hyungdoo, a member of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee (People Power Party, Masan Happo), stated during the parliamentary audit held on October 12, 2025, "Although South Korea continues to make world-class investments in research and development (R&D), the country has yet to produce a Nobel laureate in science." He pointed out, "The problem does not lie in the budget, but rather in the 'research culture' and 'system.'"

People Power Party lawmaker Choi Hyungdoo.

Choi emphasized, "We need to create an environment where researchers are not afraid of failure and can pursue creative research from a long-term perspective." He added, "Now is the time to shift from quantitative growth to qualitative transformation, and to move from 'management-centered research administration' to a 'researcher-centered trust system.'"

South Korea is recognized globally as an R&D powerhouse, ranking second in the world for R&D investment as a percentage of GDP (4.96%) and fifth in total investment amount (approximately 112 trillion won as of 2021).

Choi analyzed, "These figures are a symbolic indicator that the fundamental scientific capabilities of South Korea remain merely a 'shell of quantitative growth.'"

Choi pointed out that the current R&D system is still based on the 'Fast Follower' model of the industrialization era and is showing its limitations in the 'First Mover' era, which is driven by artificial intelligence and convergence. He cited the following as reasons: an evaluation structure focused on short-term results, structural neglect of basic research, excessive administrative regulations, and a culture that does not tolerate failure. He stressed that R&D policy needs to be fundamentally reformed.

Choi emphasized, "Countries strong in Nobel Prizes, such as the United States, Germany, and Japan, all make the autonomy of researchers, tolerance for failure, and continuous support systems their core strategies."

As innovation tasks for South Korea's scientific ecosystem, Choi stated, "We now need trust instead of management, and long-term vision instead of short-term results." He highlighted the following: the establishment of ultra-long-term national projects such as a 'Nobel Initiative,' the introduction of a support system for 'failed research,' administrative innovation centered on researchers, strengthening the recruitment and development of key talent, and expanding global and convergent research networks.

Choi also reflected, "The political sphere must move beyond the simplistic notion that increasing the budget alone will ensure scientific competitiveness," adding, "Politics bears significant responsibility for using the R&D budget as a tool for short-term performance competition."

He went on to say, "Science is not a means of government publicity, but a public good that shapes the future of the nation," and emphasized, "Politics must faithfully play its role in supporting science without interference."

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