After the preliminary feasibility study (pre-feasibility) for national research and development (R&D) projects was abolished, the large-scale R&D pre-check system introduced in its place has entered a full review process. The government selected five projects in artificial intelligence (AI), mobility, green hydrogen, aircraft engines, and space surveillance as the first subjects for the project promotion review.
The Ministry of Science and ICT said on the 4th that it held the "2026 first infrastructure-type R&D project review committee," chaired by Park In-gyu, head of the Science and Technology Innovation Center, and selected five projects for the first infrastructure-type R&D project promotion review this year.
Early this year, the government abolished the national R&D preliminary feasibility study that had been in place for 18 years and shifted to a pre-check system based on the Framework Act on Science and Technology. Among these, infrastructure-type R&D projects—such as building large-scale research facilities and equipment, creating research complexes, and system development in the space sector—with total project costs of 100 billion won or more will undergo step-by-step reviews from the launch stage.
The selected projects are the first to go through the project promotion review process since the new system was introduced. The review roster includes, first, the national science and technology information AI and computing hub center construction project. The project aims to build a facility that can operate, in one place, the science and technology information infrastructure that supports computing, AI, and the use of research data.
The AI mobility integrated demonstration complex project will establish the infrastructure needed for the development and demonstration of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Its core is to build a testing and verification environment required in vehicle development and mass production.
The large-scale green hydrogen production technology development and demonstration project also made the review list. Using a domestically produced commercial water electrolysis system, the project will demonstrate large-scale green hydrogen production technology, with plans for demonstrations not only in Korea but also overseas.
The advanced aircraft engine localization technology development project (K-ENGINE) aims to establish an independent development system for aircraft engines to be applied to next-generation aircraft and more. Alongside engine development, it will secure related materials, parts, and equipment technologies and link them to the actual engine development process.
The radar space surveillance system project will build a radar monitoring system capable of detecting space objects over the Korean Peninsula regardless of weather conditions. Its goal is to secure independent surveillance information to respond to collisions between space objects, reentry into the atmosphere, and crashes.
These projects will now undergo review by expert panels composed of specialists in each field. The overall review period is set at about eight months. Unlike the previous preliminary feasibility study, an on-site intensive review will also be conducted separately. The plan is to evaluate project promotion plans and technology readiness through a two- to three-day site inspection and more than three months of in-depth subcommittee reviews. The government also plans to increase opportunities for opinion exchange between the ministries promoting the projects and the review panels compared with the previous pre-feasibility process.
The infrastructure-type R&D project review committee is a decision-making body responsible for selecting review subjects, confirming results, and operating and improving the system. It completed its formation in May with the appointment of civilian members.
Park In-gyu, head of the Science and Technology Innovation Center, said, "After the abolition of the pre-feasibility study, the pre-check system tailored to large-scale R&D has entered full implementation," and added, "Through the new review framework, we will examine, step by step, the promotion plans and readiness levels of large-scale R&D projects."