The government designates strategic research projects to support and manage the development of 12 key national strategic technologies.
On the afternoon of the 18th, the Ministry of Science and ICT held its 8th meeting of the National Strategic Technology Special Committee, chaired by Ryu Gwang-jun, head of the Science and Technology Innovation Bureau, and approved plans to designate and nurture strategic research projects for mission-oriented national strategic technology research and development.
The Ministry of Science and ICT decided to designate representative research and development projects directly linked to achieving major tasks and goals in each of the 12 strategic technology areas as 'strategic research projects' for concentrated support. The strategic research project has also been given the abbreviation 'MVP,' derived from 'Mission-oriented Visionary Project.'
Strategic research projects are classified into four types according to the nature of the mission and the cycle of technology development. Designated projects receive special benefits, including R&D investment and follow-up support for outstanding results, easing of corporate matching burdens, priority examination for patent applications, and reductions in technology fees.
Once designated as a strategic research project, an annual consultation is conducted to assess the achievement of technology goals and the need to reset goals based on environmental changes and strategic modifications. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to incorporate the existing 10 flagship national strategic technology projects and representative projects from specialized research institutes into the strategic research projects and designate them after budget allocation and adjustments for R&D in 2026.
Ryu Gwang-jun, Chairperson of the Strategic Technology Special Committee, noted, 'Securing scientific and technological sovereignty through timely access to the 12 national strategic technologies is essential for strengthening future growth engines and technological security capabilities beyond mere survival in global technological hegemony competition.' He added, 'We will focus policy capabilities on mission-oriented R&D to seize next-generation strategic technologies.'