The Presidential Committee on Policy Planning proposed a bill to ensure that the national research and development (R&D) budget accounts for more than 5% of the total expenditure. The period for reviewing and approving the national R&D budget will also be extended by about two months.

Chairperson Lee Han-joo speaks during the full meeting of the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning held at the Government Seoul Building Annex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 30th (Joint coverage)/News1

Hwang Jung-a, a member of the Democratic Party and chair of the artificial intelligence (AI), science and technology, and aerospace defense subcommittee of the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning, held a press conference on the 2nd at the annex of the Government Seoul Office and noted, "I have introduced a partial amendment to the Basic Science and Technology Act to expand the stable R&D budget and ensure professionalism and transparency in the budget review process as promised by the government of Lee Jae-myung during the presidential election."

Hwang said, "To secure the stability of the national research and development budget, we will establish a new obligation that the government's R&D investment should be more than 5% of the national total expenditure," adding, "We aim to enhance the long-term predictability of R&D investment and the government's accountability."

She continued, "We plan to extend the review and approval period for the Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology from the current June 30 each year to August 20, allowing the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters to prepare the R&D budget allocation adjustment plan through sufficient deliberation and review," emphasizing that "with this extension of about three months, we expect a professional and transparent R&D budget proposal to be established."

The scope of review for the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters will be expanded from 'major R&D' to 'overall R&D,' including research facility costs for government-funded research institutions and project planning, evaluation, and management costs for research management organizations, allowing for comprehensive review of the national R&D budget.

Hwang stated, "I hope this amendment will be an important first step in quickly restoring the collapsed research ecosystem for advanced technology and securing the sustainability of the national R&D budget and public trust."

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