Korean Academy of Science and Technology: "Science and Technology Innovation Goes Farther Together"

Positive Assessment of Government's "Strategy for Securing Science and Technology Talent and R&D Ecosystem Innovation"
Emphasis on Incorporating Voices from the Field

The Korean Academy of Science and Technology assessed the government's recently announced "Strategy for Securing Science and Technology Talent and Measures for Innovation in the R&D Ecosystem" as "well-directed and broadly reflective of proposals from the scientific community."

On November 7, the Academy welcomed the policy in a statement, saying, "President Lee Jaemyung personally announcing the policy to scientists and the public demonstrates the government's commitment to prioritizing science and technology and to listening to voices from the field."

The Academy highly praised the scientist career track and the researcher-centered support system presented in the new policy.

It noted that the comprehensive talent development roadmap-spanning from primary and secondary education to graduate students, early-career researchers, and national scientists-along with expanding job opportunities for young and early-career researchers, strengthening support for basic research, and activating talent circulation among academia, industry, and research institutes, are all evaluated as talent policies that embody the values of creativity, autonomy, and challenge.

Additionally, the Academy predicted that efforts to strengthen researcher autonomy and responsibility, as well as to establish a predictable government R&D investment system, would contribute to building a sustainable research ecosystem.

The Academy emphasized that the growth of science and technology talent, R&D innovation, and industrial development are organically interconnected, and therefore, a sophisticated operational design under an integrated, cross-ministerial national governance framework is essential.

In particular, the Academy suggested that, given the intensifying trend of outstanding talent gravitating toward medical schools, a national compensation system is needed-beyond the "National Scientist System"-to ensure that exceptional scientists are continually recognized and able to grow, thereby enhancing the social status of scientists.

The Academy stated, "For this policy to lead to actual innovation, it is essential to develop detailed implementation strategies and ensure they are firmly established in the field," and added, "We hope that through broad collection of opinions and sufficient coordination, a robust, long-term R&D system will be built-one that resonates with both the public and the scientific community."

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