Yoon pledges support for Korean science at home and abroad

President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed that the government must invest in "world-class" research and development and support building a "global network" of Korean scientists at a symposium on Wednesday.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, poses for a commemorative photo with young participants from around the world at the inaugural World Congress of Korean Scientists & Engineers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Center in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Wednesday. The congress was attended by some 500 people, including Korean scientists living abroad. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Yoon Suk Yeol stressed that the government must invest in "world-class" research and development and support building a "global network" of Korean scientists at a symposium on Wednesday.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the inaugural World Congress of Korean Scientists & Engineers, Yoon said that the government's research and development budget has "exceeded 30 trillion won this year" and pledged to continue to actively support young scientists.

"Government R&D investment must be allocated to world-class research," he said.

Yoon was addressing hundreds of Korean scientists, including those living abroad, invited to Seoul to take part in the World Congress.

The president promised that the government will "actively support young scientists so that they can conduct research and take on challenges together with the world's best researchers and outstanding research institutes."

He also said the government will focus on establishing infrastructure for Korean university research institutes to conduct innovative research while emphasizing the need for global cooperation in science and technology.

The remarks come after Yoon criticized the wasteful and scattered allocation of the government's R&D budget for "blocking science and technology innovation" during an economic policy meeting Tuesday.

The World Congress is a follow-up to Yoon's proposal to hold a research exchange forum inviting Korean scientists and engineers from across the world to Seoul during his visit to New York University in September last year on the sidelines of a trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

"I said that I would build a Korean science and technology network around the world, including the United States," Yoon said. "Today, I am very happy to take the first step in fulfilling that promise."

Some 500 people, including Lee Tae-sik, president of the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies and 17 heads of overseas Korean scientist and engineer associations, took part in the four-day symposium organized by the Ministry of Science and ICT and held at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Center in Gangnam District, southern Seoul.

The congress will run until Friday.

Yoon said he is especially grateful for the contributions and hard work of Korean scientists and engineers from abroad, recalling meeting with many such researchers and experts in his overseas trips which have often focused on strengthening youth outreach and digital technology cooperation.

"It is thanks to our scientists and engineers equipped with a challenging spirit, innovative capabilities and outstanding skills that Korea has catapulted into a state-of-the-art science and technology and digital powerhouse," Yoon said.

"I believe that the most important thing is to build a network promoting exchanges and cooperation with Korean scientists living overseas who share our culture, language and national view, which is the beginning of international solidarity in science and technology."

Recalling his campaign pledges to protect liberal democracy and the market economy, Yoon said, "To protect and expand freedom, I think the most important thing is science and technology."

He further stressed that "solidarity with the international community is important for the expansion of freedom."

Yoon called on the scientists and engineers to become "mentors for the future generation and to conduct research together and share latest achievements."

He asked attendees to become a "strong guide for your junior colleagues to reach out to the world stage" and stressed that the Korean government will also "support research and exchanges to the fullest."

"Every year, the government invites Korean researchers from around the world to Korea and will spare no effort in supporting joint research and exchange of human resources," Yoon said.

He also said he is "sorry" for delays in the passage of a bill establishing the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), blaming the delay on opposition from the rival Democratic Party.

He noted that during his visit to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland in April, the two sides had agreed on joint research and development cooperation. He reiterated plans to establish KASA within this year.

After the ceremony, Yoon toured related booths and met with some 100 second- and third-generation Koreans from overseas and 100 young domestic scientists, according to the presidential office. The young scientists visited from 16 countries including the United States, Germany, France and Japan and introduced the science technology and culture of the countries where they were from.

Yoon also expressed hopes that the World Congress can "become a hub for a global cooperation network that supports the dreams and challenges of science and technology talents," said his office.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, center, poses for a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony of the inaugural World Congress of Korean Scientists & Engineers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Center in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Wednesday. The congress was attended by some 500 people, including Korean scientists living abroad. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]