The Ministry of Science and ICT said on the 19th it held a joint briefing with 18 central administrative agencies that carry out government research and development (R&D) projects.
The Ministry of Science and ICT will hold the "2026 government research and development project inter-ministerial briefing" from this day through the 21st in the main auditorium at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon, explaining this year's government research and development projects, budgeted at 3.55 trillion won. The budget will be invested in future growth engines such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, quantum, advanced biotech, energy, and space and aviation, as well as in "strengthening the research ecosystem," including ▲ expansion of basic research ▲ strengthening talent development ▲ balanced regional development.
This year's research and development policy will be pursued by 33 ministries and agencies. By scale of investment, the order is the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Korea AeroSpace Administration. The Ministry of Science and ICT said, "To enable researchers from industry, academia and research institutes to systematically grasp each ministry's government research and development projects in one place, 18 ministries are jointly holding the briefing," adding, "About 30,000 researchers and experts are expected to participate online and offline."
In the morning, the Science and Technology Innovation Center of the Ministry of Science and ICT explained the key features of the 2026 government research and development budget, as well as ▲ plans to innovate the research and development ecosystem ▲ follow-up systems after abolishing preliminary feasibility studies ▲ expanding autonomy in research funds and strengthening sanctions on misuse. In the afternoon, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea AeroSpace Administration, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will release each ministry's major research and development projects and implementation schedules.
On the 20th, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety, and the National Fire Agency will present, and on the 21st, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rural Development Administration, the Korea Forest Service, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will present.
Park In-gyu, head of the Science and Technology Innovation Center, said, "The expanded budget will be focused on technology-driven growth, including AI, energy and strategic technologies," adding, "We are also working to restore the basic research ecosystem and to build a virtuous-cycle research ecosystem in which corporations and regions grow together." Park added, "Reflecting voices from the research field, we are also pursuing institutional improvements such as the phased abolition of PBS and the abolition of the preliminary feasibility system."