The “Discussion on establishing 2025 national R&D investment direction”, hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and organized by KISTEP, was held on February 21. The “national R&D investment direction” is established in accordance with Article 12-2 of the Framework Act on Science and Technology, presents the strategic direction for government R&D investment for the next year, and is used as a basic guideline for R&D budget allocation. This debate, which was prepared to listen to the opinions of research sites and industry, academia, and research officials in the process of establishing national R&D investment directions, was broadcast live on the MSIT’s YouTube channel and can be viewed again through the link: https://youtu.be/7xb8MJkC4AE?si=bvVgVnYyRop1CcUR

△ Young-chang Joo, Vice Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation of MSIT

Young-chang Joo, Vice Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation at MSIT, said in his greetings, “It is time to seriously consider and discuss the directions of innovation in order to take the lead as a first mover.” “We want to have active two-way communication centered on the core agendas,” he said, emphasizing the significance of this event. MSIT plans to invest heavily in the following R&D through leading research and development: Innovative R&D that makes the impossible possible, including R&D that nurtures people so that future generations can develop infinite possibilities, R&D for a sustainable society, R&D that focuses on R&D’s original mission and becomes the center of the world, and R&D that leads new growth. He also announced that he would listen to good suggestions and opinions to ensure that the R&D budget is invested in areas that the public desperately needs by reflecting vivid opinions from the field.

△ Seonhak Cho, Director of the R&D Investment Coordination Bureau of MSIT

Seonhak Cho, Director of the R&D Investment Coordination Bureau of MSIT, said, “The directions of national R&D investment is a framework that captures national growth and innovation, and as precious national resources are invested, consensus between relevant ministries and stakeholders is essential.” “We will continue to provide opportunities for communication and listen to the voices of the research field,” he added.

△ Presentation by Hyeon-sook Cho, Director of the R&D Budget Coordination Division of MSIT

Hyeon-sook Cho, Director of the R&D Budget Coordination Division of MSIT, presented four major agendas and proposed major issues and discussion points based on an analysis of the external environment surrounding Korea and a diagnosis of government R&D investment through a general presentation of investment directions for 2025. In the second part, the investment directions for each of the four agendas were introduced and an in-depth discussion with experts took place.

(4 major agendas) 

① R&D to nurture people (basics/talent)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/I64xrRjH56Y?si=9W1b_GTjXcAzM3kO

② R&D at the center of the world (global R&D)

https://youtu.be/GyO4QdrMZrI?si=ik9XWIWACDdnuFNk

③ R&D leading new growth (new growth)

https://youtu.be/734Xy3ZG6PI?si=U4tTQY2h3zB6QiP0

④ R&D for a sustainable society (public) 

https://youtu.be/aHgqPNMFo3o?si=2FdA98C_nY-_Oto2

MSIT specified the investment directions based on the opinions from this discussion, reviewed and supplemented the opinions of related ministries, and then went through deliberation and resolution at the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology (PACST) (Chaired by the President) to establish the “National R&D Investment Directions and Standards for 2025”.