[Paek Jongmin's Deep Tech] Those Who Make Scientists Sad

Calls for fostering and retaining STEM talent, as well as attracting overseas experts, are louder than ever. The previous administration, having witnessed the scientific community's outrage over the unprecedented R&D budget cuts reflected in voting sentiment, belatedly moved to abolish the designation of government-funded research institutes as public institutions and to increase funding. However, even under the Lee Jaemyung administration, the aftereffects continue to this day.

It is not only difficult to nurture talent, but also to retain it. This challenge is particularly acute for government-funded research institutes under the Ministry of Science and ICT, which carry out national research projects. Compared to corporations and universities, these institutes suffer from poorer research environments and cannot claim to offer better treatment.

The head of a Global Top Strategy Research Group, tasked by the Ministry of Science and ICT with developing next-generation technologies, candidly admitted, "It is not easy to retain younger colleagues." He explained that while many STEM researchers choose these institutes as their first workplace, they often look to move on before their careers can fully blossom. The reason is simple: the treatment is different. Many believe that being a university professor is preferable to remaining a researcher at a government institute. Even when conducting similar research, the psychological gap between the title of 'researcher' and 'professor' is hard to overcome. No matter how outstanding a researcher's achievements, prevailing social perceptions make it difficult to match the status of a professor. There are also differences in benefits. When traveling abroad for projects led by researchers at these institutes, greater obstacles arise. Professors can use business class tickets, but researchers at government institutes cannot even hope for premium seats on budget airlines.

It is China that has most keenly identified these weaknesses. According to materials submitted by Choi Sujin, a member of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee from the People Power Party, based on data from the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST) and its affiliated institutes, hundreds of researchers at government-funded institutes received emails related to China's "Thousand Talents Plan" early last year. After 149 professors at KAIST received the same email, the expansion of China's talent recruitment strategy to government institutes demonstrates how accurately China has pinpointed the vulnerabilities in Korea's scientific community.

A principal investigator in charge of a core national research project commented, "Government-funded research institutes certainly have their advantages." With less immediate pressure for results and greater job security, these institutes are attractive to those who value research itself. For progress, strengths must be enhanced and weaknesses addressed. The fact that heads of Global Top Strategy Research Groups have taken on challenges for high salaries is symbolic.

No matter how much treatment improves, it is meaningless if morale is broken. Recently, voices of concern have emerged in the scientific community over the denigration of science, triggered by the two words "quantum mechanics" and "dark matter." This year's parliamentary audit of the Ministry of Science and ICT was thrown into disarray by these two terms. As we mark the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics, how can we restore the pride of physicists immersed in their research? Science should be resolved by real scientists, not by politicians or research administrators.

On the 6th, attendees at the unveiling ceremony of the bust of the late Kim Jaegwan, the first director, held a commemorative photo at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science in Daejeon. The event was guided by Lee Hoseong, Director of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, and was attended by Koo Hyukchae, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, Kim Youngsik, Chairman of the National Security Council, and the bereaved family including Yang Hyesook, Chairwoman of the Korea Performing Arts Foundation (first from the left), and Kim Wonjun, CEO of Samsung Global Research (second from the right). Photo by Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science

There is a precedent for why we must listen to those who, through studying science, feel a sense of responsibility not only for themselves but also for the nation's development and strive to contribute. On the 6th, at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science in Daejeon, a bust unveiling ceremony was held to mark the institute's 50th anniversary, honoring the late Kim Jaegwan, its first director. Kim obtained his master's and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from the Technical University of Munich in Germany and became the first scientist recruited back to Korea after recommending the construction of an integrated steel mill to President Park Chung-hee during his visit to Germany.

He laid the blueprint for Korea's manufacturing industry, which has since risen to G7-level status, by promoting the construction of the Pohang Integrated Steelworks and the nurturing of the automobile industry. The fact that Director Kim dedicated his scientific knowledge not to personal gain but to the nation is now eternally inscribed on his bust.

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