The Korea Foundation for Women in Science and Technology announced on the 31st that it will pilot the "2025 Emergency Care Voucher Support Project for Scientists" to support science and technology professionals who balance research and childcare. This project provides voucher-based care services to respond to urgent care situations, such as sudden illness of children. Eligible applicants include graduate students and postdoctoral researchers with children under 8 years old belonging to the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). A total of 30 people will be selected, each receiving care vouchers worth 1.8 million won.
The National Academy of Engineering of Korea announced on the 31st that it held the 278th NAEK Forum in Seocho-gu, Seoul. This forum discussed the theme "DeepSeek shock, what direction should our country's industrial artificial intelligence (AI) take?" addressing the development direction and application strategies of industrial AI technology. About 180 participants, including industry professionals and members of the Academy, attended the event, where Koo Bon-soo, former CEO of KT, and Professor Baek Eun-ok from Hanyang University were keynote speakers.
The Korea Basic Science Institute announced on the 31st that it has completed the "Youth Science Career Experience Camp" for middle school students in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon Citizen Observatory, and Daejeon Media Center. This camp was designed to allow youth to directly experience research sites using the scientific and technological capabilities and resources of institutions within the DAEDUCK special zone, fostering interest and career possibilities in the field of science and technology. The camp was held for two days from the 27th at a middle school in Yeongdong-gun, Chungbuk, with participation from 32 teachers and students.
Representative Hwang Jeong-ah of the Democratic Party announced on the 31st that the Science and Technology Professionals Mutual Aid Association will implement an incentivized interest rate system for marriage and childbirth for science and technology professionals starting April 7. This system is a policy response to the low birth rate and aging population issues, adding preferential interest rates of 0.3% and 0.5% respectively for marriage or childbirth within two years of signing up for the "Top Savings for Scientists". This measure is a follow-up action to a proposal made by Representative Hwang to the Mutual Aid Association during last October's National Audit.