The Ministry of Science and ICT held the 10th meeting of the National Strategic Technology Special Committee on Dec. 12, announcing a plan to invest 6.8 trillion won in fostering national strategic technologies this year.
The Ministry of Science and ICT is creating the '1st Basic Plan for National Strategic Technology Fostering,' which contains an annual promotion plan across multiple ministries for the 12 national strategic technologies. This plan encompasses how 22 ministries and agencies will invest in national strategic technologies.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced it will invest a total of 6.4 trillion won in research and development (R&D) to foster the 12 national strategic technologies and 50 detailed key technologies, a 30% increase compared to last year. Additionally, it will invest 370 billion won in non-R&D projects to support startups in the national strategic technology sector.
It plans to initiate five new core projects in the three game-changing areas of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced bio, and quantum technology. In addition, it will invest a total of 373.5 billion won in 10 key projects.
To support startups in the national strategic technology sector, a science and technology innovation fund of 1 trillion won will be established. A designated bank for managing research funds across multiple ministries will create a 500 billion won mother fund and additionally match it with 500 billion won in private investment, resulting in a total fund of 1 trillion won.
For 'strategic technology verified companies' holding national strategic technologies, benefits will be enhanced, such as granting additional points when selecting companies for military service designations, policy finance, and R&D projects. In particular, the field of 'artificial intelligence' will be added to the national strategic technology under the Restriction of Special Taxation Act, and the tax credit rate for semiconductor investments will be increased.
It will actively promote the 'Strategic Research Project (MVP)' for core projects fostering national strategic technologies, including large-scale projects, securing next-generation fundamental technologies, and supporting specialized research institutes. For MVP projects, the cash and in-kind matching ratio for undertaking companies will be significantly eased to about half, and the scale of newly designated 'Global TOP Strategic Research Teams' will be expanded from the existing 100 billion won to 125 billion won.
Chairperson Ryu Kwang-jun of the strategic technology special committee noted, 'In the flow of accelerated technological competition and AI transition, securing strategic technologies is now the only means to guarantee national survival across economy and security,' adding, 'As the central agency for national science and technology policy, I will concentrate the policy capabilities of multiple ministries not only on leading R&D investments in the 12 national strategic technologies but also on ensuring that this year helps us overcome the waves of technological supremacy competition.'