The fourth launch of Nuri and the basic artificial intelligence (AI) law were selected as this year's major science and technology news.
The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) selected the top 10 science and technology news of 2025 and announced them on the 29th. The top 10 science and technology news have been released annually since 2005 and are chosen through expert review and a public vote.
This year's top 10 science and technology news include 4 science and technology issues and 6 research and development achievements. The science and technology issues are: success of the fourth launch of Nuri…opening of the new space era; passage of the AI basic law, launching a leap toward becoming a global top-three AI power; revival of the vice prime minister for science and technology system after 17 years…overall coordination of science and technology and AI policy; and establishment of "national scientist"…a sweeping overhaul to nurture science and engineering talent.
The research and development achievements are: development of a new process technology to accelerate commercialization of two-dimensional semiconductors; Korea first in the world to reveal the principle of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines; first identification of the mechanism controlling dementia-inducing proteins caused by aging; unlocking the secret of water striders…successfully implemented with a micro robot; development of a "world's best performance" PET plastic biodegradation enzyme; and a new treatment possibility for spinal cord injury…identification of a neurotransmitter that hampers recovery.
KOFST said it expects the top 10 news to serve as an indicator for gauging Korea's future competitiveness and the direction of science and technology development, to become a window for the public to understand science and technology, and to provide the driving force for challenge and innovation at research and industrial sites.