President Lee Jae-myung said on the 22nd regarding the government's national research and development (R&D) budget proposal for next year, "I expect it to serve as a cornerstone for the new development of Korea." President Lee made this remark while presiding over the first plenary meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology since taking office at the Yongsan Presidential Office on that morning, stating, "The budget allocated this year is 35.3 trillion won, showing an increase rate of nearly 20%."
The 35.3 trillion won budget revealed by the government on this day is a 19.3% increase compared to this year's R&D budget (29.6 trillion won) proposed by the previous Yoon Suk-yeol government. It is the largest amount in history. President Lee noted, "Historically, countries that respected science and technology and advanced in scientific fields prospered, while those that looked down on science and technology generally perished," adding, "The future of a nation is determined by how much investment and interest it has in the field of science and technology."
After mentioning that the Yoon Suk-yeol government had cut the R&D budget, President Lee stated, "There was a sort of misunderstanding regarding R&D and some issues causing fluctuations," noting, "This budget has returned to a normal growth trend." He added, "Korea has nothing special, but the reason it successfully industrialized and democratized as the only liberated colony in the world is that it invested in the future," and emphasized, "Parents sold their fields to educate their children; now the nation must also invest in education and learning. One of the key areas is R&D."
The Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology serves as the highest decision-making body in the field of science and technology, with the president acting as its chair. The plenary meeting discussed the '2026 national research and development project budget allocation and adjustment plan,' 'the new government's AI policy and investment direction,' and 'field and demand-centered R&D promotion strategies for 2026 by ministry.' Notably, the government has set the R&D budget for next year at a record 35.3 trillion won. During the Yoon Suk-yeol government, the R&D budget was cut to 26.5 trillion won, but it has now increased by 8.8 trillion won in two years.
President Lee emphasized that, "With the shift towards fierce competition for dominance in advanced science and technology, international competition is intense," and he noted, "Especially in the field of AI, the next 2 to 3 years are a golden time." He stated, "If you stay half a step ahead during this period, you will become a leader enjoying infinite opportunities, but if you fall behind, you will remain an eternal follower."
He also mentioned that by cutting the R&D budget during the Yoon Suk-yeol government, they were on the brink of missing the golden time. President Lee stated, "Even in difficult times, we did not spare investments for the future, but the government has deprived us of research opportunities by cutting research funds," and he pointed out, "Students and young researchers who lost their positions in laboratories are quickly exiting to overseas universities or job markets, threatening the basic research ecosystem and seriously shaking the national competitiveness in science and technology."
He asserted that to overcome the low growth and multifaceted crisis facing Korea, investment in scientific research and support for advanced technology industries, including AI, must be given top priority. He emphasized, "(The R&D budget for next year) is a bold decision for Korea's future and reflects the government's clear will to leap forward as a strong science and technology nation."
President Lee also revealed plans for improvements to the R&D system and strategies for AI investment. He stated, "We are receiving painful criticism that Korea is not attractive to top talents in science and engineering," and he proposed, "The PBS (Project Based System) that has shaken the identity of researchers in government-funded research institutes over the past 30 years should be gradually abolished and the funding structure should be transformed to be mission-driven by each institute to boost the pride of young scientific talents and researchers, enabling them to plan a concrete future and grow alongside research over the next 5 to 10 years in the country."
He also emphasized the need to swiftly prepare measures for the surging power demand that will arise from expanding AI research and utilization, as well as fostering advanced industries like semiconductors, ahead of the launch of the 'National AI Strategy Committee' and the announcement of the 'Korea AI Action Plan' next month.
President Lee emphasized, "The R&D budget proposal discussed today will be a starting point for a new scientific nation."