The Ministry of Science and ICT has reportedly established a task force (TF) and started operations for an investigation into the cuts to the research and development (R&D) budget under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration.
According to Yonhap News on the 7th, the Ministry of Science and ICT formed a task force made up of internal staff to investigate the R&D budget cuts earlier this month and has begun its operations.
Previously, in July, Bae Kyung-hun, the Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, mentioned during a National Assembly confirmation hearing that he would consider forming a task force to investigate the R&D budget cuts from the previous administration.
On the 20th, during a full meeting of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee of the National Assembly, the Ministry of Science and ICT promised to form a task force, and a TF led by the Office of Science and Technology Innovation was recently established.
The TF is expected to look into the process of cuts to the R&D budget, which occurred following remarks by former President Yoon Suk-yeol about a comprehensive review of the R&D budget right before the major budget review in June 2023.
Previously, Park In-kyu, the head of the Innovation Office, stated during an R&D budget briefing on the 22nd of last month that regarding the TF, he planned to examine and compile details based on what occurred and what was listed through fact-checking.