The Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology, under the president, will begin accepting proposals from the public for science and technology advisory agendas starting in June.
The Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology said on the 31st that it will allow anyone to propose science and technology advisory agendas through its website. The Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology is the top decision-making body in the science and technology field, chaired by the president. It handles presidential advice on strategies and systems for advancing science and technology, mid- to long-term policy and technology acquisition strategies, improvements to the national research and development (R&D) system, and deliberation on budget allocation items.
Regarding the introduction of this public proposal system, the Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology noted, "It is significant in that it expands science and technology advisory agendas—previously discussed mainly by experts—into people's daily lives," adding, "The proposals received will be reviewed by advisory members and used to select science and technology advisory agendas to be reported to the president in the future."
The Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology plans to reflect public demand for science and technology policies that people directly experience in the process of identifying advisory agendas. As science and technology fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, bio, energy, and digital transformation have become closely tied not only to industrial competitiveness but also to people's lives, the goal is to connect problem awareness in the field to policy discussions.
Vice Chair Lee Kyung-su of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology said, "This public proposal initiative is meaningful in identifying agendas that are practically needed from the public's perspective and in enhancing the on-the-ground relevance of policy," adding, "We ask for the public's active interest and participation so the Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology can go beyond the expert domain and lead advances in science and technology that people can directly feel."