A legal basis has been established to allow priority immigration screening for core science and engineering personnel.
The Ministry of Science and ICT said on the 24th that a partial amendment to the Special Act on Supporting Science and Engineering for Strengthening National Science and Technology Competitiveness, which includes priority immigration screening for core science and engineering personnel, passed the National Assembly on the 12th and was finalized at a Cabinet meeting.
The amendment reflects a situation in which overseas travel by domestic researchers is increasing due to the expansion of international joint research and stronger global cooperation. In the field, there have been continued notes that procedural inconveniences arising from frequent overseas travel can affect research schedules and business continuity.
Previously, priority immigration was applied only to some personnel such as distinguished contributors to science and technology, but there were limits to broadly covering researchers currently active in the field or next-generation key talent. Accordingly, the amendment added provisions to allow priority immigration screening for core science and engineering personnel as well.
Core science and engineering personnel are selected under the Enforcement Decree of the Science and Engineering Support Act. The pool includes people who have received internationally recognized awards such as the Nobel Prize in science or the Fields Medal in mathematics; recipients of the Order of Science and Technology Merit or the President's Commendation; and those who have made significant contributions to economic and social development through the development or improvement of new technologies. It also includes researchers with outstanding academic achievements, such as publishing or being cited in world-renowned journals; individuals who have contributed to broadening the base through science and technology writing and lectures; and others whom the Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT recognizes as equivalent.
The government expects the legal revision to make overseas research activities by outstanding science and technology personnel smoother. In particular, it said the change will ease travel burdens during international collaborative research, attendance at overseas conferences, and joint project work.
The amendment will take effect after presidential approval and promulgation, starting six months after promulgation.
Lee Jun-bae, director general of talent policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "This revision is meaningful in that it institutionally clarifies national-level recognition for core science and technology talent."