Yoon vows to put national R&D budget toward world-class research projects

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeo is giving a speech of encouragement at the opening ceremony of the first World Congress of Korean Scientists & Engineers held at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Seoul on July 5. [Photo by Yonhap]

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has vowed to allocate the country’s national R&D budget appropriately, stressing that “R&D investment should be directed towards world-class research projects.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the first World Congress of Korean Scientists & Engineers held at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Seoul on Wednesday, Yoon noted that the R&D budget of the Korean government has exceeded 30 trillion won this year. He pledged to eliminate inappropriate use of the budget.

Earlier, the presidential office named Cho Seong-kyung, presidential secretary for science and technology, as the first vice minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT. Some interpret the appointment as a measure to prevent improper distribution of the state R&D budget.

“The R&D budget will be used to enable young scientists to conduct research and take on challenges together with world-class researchers and outstanding research institutions,” Yoon said.

He added that the government “will focus on establishing the infrastructure that allows Korean universities and research institutions to engage in creative research.”

Yoon further emphasized that the government will provide full support to ensure that scientists can freely conduct research and exchange knowledge, revealing the administration’s commitment to a science and technology-driven governance approach.

Yoon also mentioned the establishment of a space agency within the year, a promise made during his presidential campaign.

“In April, I visited the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the U.S. and discussed human resource exchange and collaborative research between NASA and the Korean space agency,” he said.

“In line with this, a government-led bill to establish the space agency was submitted to the National Assembly in April,” Yoon added.

The World Congress of Korean Scientists & Engineers was launched with a proposal made by Yoon during his visit to New York last year. The event took place 10 months after the proposal.