The Korea Institute of Science and Technology Planning and Evaluation (KISTEP, President Jeong Byeong-seon) held the 143rd KISTEP Wednesday Forum on March 16 (Wednesday) to have time to discuss the direction of science and technology diplomacy for coexistence with the world amid fierce competition for hegemony.

This Wednesday forum was broadcast live online without external attendees to respond to COVID-19, and can be viewed again through the KISTEP YouTube channel.

Jeong Byung-seon, president of KISTEP, said, “This is an era where high-tech technology is a decisive factor in international diplomacy. As the competition for hegemony between the United States and China is expected to be prolonged, it is important to come up with a science and technology diplomacy plan that allows the world to coexist beyond deglobalization. I hope that there will be a good discussion about the strategic direction that Korea should pursue in the era of technological hegemony.”

▲ Jeong Byung-seon, president of KISTEP

   ▲ Yoo Jun-koo, a professor of the Center for International Law

at the Institute for Foreign Affairs and National Security

Yoo Jun-koo, a professor of the Center for International Law at the Institute for Foreign Affairs and National Security, who was in charge of the presentation, said, “As the importance of science and technology is rising, we need to converge on issues of technological sovereignty, security, and hyper-connectivity of economy and society to present a blueprint for mid- to long-term science and technology diplomacy.” Also, he suggested "It is important to strengthen domestic capabilities and establish a comprehensive science and technology diplomacy policy by integrating the new technology security diplomacy."

In the panel discussion that followed, Ryu Young-soo, Director of KISTEP Project Coordination Headquarters, led by Park Ji-young, Director of the Technology Policy Center at Research Institute for Economy and Society, Cha Jeong-mi, Director of the International Strategic Research Center at the National Assembly Futures Institute, and Kim Seong-gyu, International Cooperation Officer of the Ministry of Science and ICT participated in a heated discussion.

▲ Park Ji-young, Director of the Technology Policy Center

at Research Institute for Economy and Society

Park Ji-young, Director of the Technology Policy Center, insisted on clarifying the identity of each nation, science and technology, and diplomacy and comprehensively considering it in various fields. She emphasized that each strategy, such as regulatory strategy, alliance strategy, and technology support strategy, needs to be harmoniously recorded, and a new, fluid science and technology planning function that can respond organically to changing trends needs to be developed.

▲ Cha Jeong-mi, Director of the International Strategic Research Center

at the National Assembly Futures Institute

Cha Jeong-mi, Director of the International Strategic Research Center, suggested that there are many ways to increase scientific and technological competitiveness, but in the end, we should achieve technological independence in order to secure a little more strategic autonomy in the US-China technological hegemony. He also argued that digital support and scientific and technological cooperation for developing countries are also necessary as a technology solidarity strategy to secure and strengthen our technology and status, and we must secure diplomatic and strategic autonomy as well as scientific and technological innovation.

▲ Kim Seong-gyu, International Cooperation Officer of the Ministry of Science and ICT

Kim Seong-gyu, International Cooperation Officer, said, “In the era of technological hegemony, the purpose of science and technology diplomacy needs to be approached from the perspective of security as well as preparation of future market conditions.” In addition, he explained "In order to respond to the competition for technological supremacy, the government is making efforts to establish a practical cooperation system, such as expanding the Korea-US Joint Committee on Science and Technology and joining the ‘Horizon Europe’ associate member state."