The public hearing on the 5th Basic Science and Technology Plan (2023-2027), hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Minister Jong-ho Lee) and organized by KISTEP, was held at the EL Tower in Seoul on November 7th (Monday).

The 5th Basic Science and Technology Plan is a highest-standing plan for S&T jointly established by all ministries according to Article 7 of the Framework Act on Science and Technology. It presents mid- to long-term policy goals, strategies, and implementation tasks.

This event aimed to introduce the progress of the 5th Basic Plan to be established this year, its direction and significant tasks, and to collect public opinion. The first part of the public hearing included △opening remarks by Young-Chang Joo, Vice Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, △ welcoming remarks by Byung-Seon Jeong, President of KISTEP, and △ presentation of the 5th Basic Science and Technology Plan (draft) by Yo-eop Lim, Director of S&T Policy Division, MSIT. The second part included △ panel discussion and △Q&A session.

In his opening remarks, Young-Chang Joo, Vice Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation, said, “The 5th Basic Science and Technology Plan is the highest level plan that encompasses S&T policies of all ministries. It is the basis for promoting S&T policies for the next five years. Science and Technology needs to play a more active role in response to various current issues and future challenges based on the achievements made through expanding R&D investments and creating a researcher-centered environment.”

△Byung-Seon Jeong, President of KISTEP

In the welcoming remarks, KISTEP President Byung-Seon Jeong said, “Through this public hearing on the 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan, we will have an in-depth discussion on S&T policies and directions for the next five years and share the interests and concerns of the public. I hope that Korea will lead the world through S&T in the future,” he said.

Yo-eop Lim, Director of the S&T Policy Division, MSIT, stated, “The 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan has a vision of ‘a bold future led by STI’. It focuses on △strengthening strategies by selection and focus, △creating a private-led S&T innovation ecosystem, and △solving national issues based on S&T.” He presented three strategies for implementation, 17 implementation tasks, and 50 detailed tasks. Finally, he presented a strategy for enhancing the implementation of the 5th Basic Plan, indicators for each task, plans for monitoring and feedback on policy implementation.

△ Panel Discussion

Hyun Min Park, president of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS),　led the panel discussion. In addition, Heondo Kim, president of Jusung Engineering (industry), Chong Rae Park, professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Seoul National University (SNU) (academic), Eun Gyeong Yang, vice president of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (research), and Sung-chun Jung, vice president of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP)　(humanities and social sciences), and Sangwook Park, professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Seoul National University (SNU) (policy), and other experts from various fields attended and had an in-depth discussion on the 5th Basic Plan.

Following the public hearing on the 5th Basic Science and Technology Plan ('23-'27) held on November 7th, a public hearing was held in the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology(KRICT) at Daejeon on November 11th (Fri.) The 5th Basic Science and Technology Plan (2023-2027) (draft) will be finalized after the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology deliberation this year.