The government will assist in ensuring that the results of research funded by the government’s research and development (R&D) budget do not end with papers but are connected to commercialization through technology transfer and startups. It will increase investments and support for strategic technology and strengthen global scientific and technological cooperation with the United States and the European Union (EU).
Minister of Science and ICT Yoo Sang-im announced the progress of the "2025 Ministry of Science and ICT core tasks" at the Government Seoul Complex on the 4th. This follows the "Economic Sector 2, Major Issues Solution Meeting" held on Jan. 13. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to hold monthly briefings to disclose the performance and implementation plans of core tasks.
The Ministry of Science and ICT noted that it will announce a national R&D technology commercialization strategy in March. To this end, a public-private consultative body will be established, and plans are in place to create a system for various ministries to support technology commercialization as a united team. The ministry aims to foster a tailored technology commercialization ecosystem considering the characteristics of each sector. Minister Yoo stated, "Amid a situation where technology commercialization is stagnant and facing difficulties, the entire government is creating a complete ecosystem," adding, "We are currently preparing a draft and are in the process of developing a cross-ministerial proposal in each ministry."
Support measures to improve the research environment for graduate students in science and engineering will also be implemented. Through the research living incentive program introduced this year, master's students will receive a monthly research grant of 800,000 won, while doctoral students will receive 1.1 million won. Approximately 30 universities and 50,000 graduate students are eligible for these payments.
Support for key strategic technologies will also increase. To accelerate the development of quantum technologies and related industries, a public-private joint quantum strategy committee is expected to be launched in March. Additionally, plans will be announced to strengthen investments in national strategic technologies, along with the "investment directions for national research and development projects for 2026."
International cooperation in the field of science and technology will also be expanded. The government has already announced its participation in the "Horizon Europe" multilateral research program to strengthen research cooperation with the European Union (EU). Furthermore, to enhance cooperation with the United States, visits to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and meetings with Korean American scientists are being promoted, and meetings will be held with key figures in the U.S. scientific community to propose directions for science and technology policy to the Trump administration.
A Ministry of Science and ICT official stated, "There are concerns about international cooperation due to the cessation of National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding post-Trump, but we are monitoring the situation through the consultative body and plan to devise solutions if issues persist."
Minister Yoo noted, "In the serious political situation, we are all doing our utmost with a heavy sense of responsibility to support the struggling economy and contribute to economic recovery," adding, "We will rigorously check to ensure that core tasks quickly resonate in people's lives and industries and will explain them in detail to the public."