The Ministry of Science and ICT and KISTEP have been carrying out an innovation challenge project since 2020 to create innovative results through challenging leading research. In addition, both organizations are promoting innovative and challenging cross-ministerial R&D projects centered on a clear mission to preemptively solve difficult problems in the field of S&T related to people's happiness, quality of life, and creation of future leading industries. The sharing was held on February 20th at the El Tower Gold Hall to celebrate the 4th anniversary of its launch, where business officials and industry-academia-research-government experts gathered to share research results and seek future directions.

Seok-min Kwon, Director of the Science and Technology Policy Department of MSIT, said, “I am truly pleased to have an opportunity to celebrate the Innovation Challenge Project, which is celebrating its fifth year since its launch, and to announce the achievements so far.” “In an era of ever-intensifying competition for technological hegemony, the key Korea’s continued development lies in taking on challenges without fear of failure and in ceaseless innovation in S&T,” he added.

“The Innovation Challenge Project started with the goal of establishing ourselves as a first mover pioneering a new path rather than a follower following the path established by leading countries. Through this, difficult and challenging research themes were discovered, and programs with goals that could lead national innovation were launched one after another. I believe that we will play a big role in establishing challenging R&D as a driving force for national development. We will focus our policy capabilities to ensure that innovative and challenging R&D programs are expanded and that a challenging R&D system and culture are established.”

“In line with the direction of the Innovation Challenge Project, R&D programs that aim to be the world's first and best are classified as Innovation-Challenge-type R&D, and we are helping researchers focus on research by expanding investment in funds and applying institutional special provisions. We hope that today’s event will not just be about sharing results, but will also be a valuable time to reflect on the meaning of challenge and innovation pursued by the Project.”