KISTEP, The Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Korea Federation of Science and Technology (KOFST) held a discussion on November 12 (Friday) to gather public opinions on the research ethics guidelines (proposal) prepared under the National R&D Innovation Act. The event was broadcast live online in compliance with quarantine rules and can be viewed again through the YouTube channel of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

(Link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GEmBMq4lGk

▲ Kyung-soo Lee, Director of Science and Technology Innovation Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT

Kyung-soo Lee, director of the Science and Technology Innovation Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said in a welcoming speech, "The importance of science and technology, such as accelerating competition for technology hegemony and the era of 100 trillion won in national R&D, is crucial." In addition, he said, "Through the National R&D Innovation Act, we have laid the institutional foundation for desirable research ethics to be established in the research field."

▲ Sang-seon Kim, President of KISTEP

Sang-seon Kim, president of KISTEP, said in a congratulatory speech, "KISTEP will continue to support the establishment of healthy research ethics such as securing autonomy in R&D, fulfilling social responsibility, and protecting researchers' rights and interests."

▲ Woo-il Lee, chairman of the Korea Federation of Sciensce and Technology

Woo-il Lee, chairman of the Korea Federation of Science and Technology, said in a congratulatory speech, "We hope that the participation and communication of scientists will set the best guidelines for the research site. I hope it will be the driving force behind raising the ethical awareness among the science and technology community and creating a trusted research environment."

▲ Chang-seop Eom, Professor of Korea University (Chairman of the University Research Ethics Council)

In the following presentation, Professor Chang-seop Eom presented the "Main contents of the Research Ethics Guidelines (proposal)" by dividing it into (1) outline of the Research Ethics Guidelines (proposal), (2) main contents of the Research Ethics Guidelines (proposal), and (3) future plans. Professor Chang-seop Eom said, "The purpose of the research ethics guidelines (proposal) is to provide standards and directions to make regulations suitable for institutional circumstances," and explained the main contents of the research ethics guidelines - research integrity protection and management; ethics on academic exchange; prevention and management of conflicts of interest; research ethics for humans and animals; creation of a sound laboratory culture. He also added, "We plan to finalize and distribute research ethics guidelines around December 2021 by collecting opinions from discussions, research sites, and related ministries."

▲ Panel discussion

In the panel discussion, Byung-soo Kim (professor at Korea University), Hae-do Kim (head of the Korea Research Foundation), Ki-beom Park (senior researcher at STEPI), Hye-on Yoon (director at Korea Basic Science Institute), Bum-hoon Lee (professor at Sogang University), Jisun Choi (lawyer at Law & Science law firm), and Eunsung Hwang (professor at University of Seoul) participated in-depth discussions following the lead of Ha Joong Song, professor at Kyung Hee University.