Opposition Walks Out Amid Ruling Party's Call to "Properly Follow Up on the South Korea-US Summit"

Held on the 16th with a ruling party-only meeting of the National Assembly Science and ICT Committee
Minister Im Hye-sook states, "We will ensure concrete outcomes from the Korea-US summit"

Minister of Science and ICT nominee Im Hye-sook is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 4th, taking the witness oath. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] On the 16th, the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee held at the National Assembly proceeded as a ruling party members-only meeting, with members of the People Power Party absent due to their refusal to submit a request for an audit of TBS by the Board of Audit and Inspection. At this meeting, ruling party members urged the implementation of science and technology and space-related agreements from the Korea-US summit.

Yoon Young-chan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who raised the first question, mentioned the plans to participate in the lunar orbit probe (KLPS) and the commercial lunar landing cargo ship project scheduled for launch in August 2022, asking Minister Lim to "carefully check whether these two projects are progressing well," emphasizing that "the Artemis-related projects can only succeed if this is done properly."

Hong Ik-pyo, also from the same party, requested the Ministry of Science and ICT to pay attention to the budget formulation for next year to implement the agreement on expanding academic exchanges in the STEM fields. Hong said, "Regarding the 2022 budget, follow-up measures related to the summit are not clearly visible. Although it has not been finalized yet, please report separately on any additional necessary parts," and pointed out, "STEM personnel exchanges need to be comprehensively readjusted in consultation with companies, considering changes in science and technology, rather than following past practices." Kim Sang-hee also urged, "As the first female minister, please take more interest and actively prepare plans to expand the exchange of female personnel in the STEM fields."

Byun Jae-il expressed concerns that the Ministry of Science and ICT should worry more about the future of the semiconductor industry. Byun said, "The achievements of this Korea-US summit were backed by science and technology, with semiconductors being a core element," adding, "However, since Taiwan's TSMC has decided to build factories in the US and Japan, please consider whether our semiconductor technology can maintain its current status even five years after completion and prepare countermeasures." Byun also requested that the R&D evaluation process be institutionalized based on the performance of training high-level personnel.

Jeon Hye-sook pointed out the necessity of establishing a dedicated center to actively utilize organoids, which are low-cost and free from animal rights controversies, to revitalize bio-research such as COVID-19 vaccines. Jeong Pil-mo emphasized that in appointing the next director of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, whose current director recently completed a three-year term, internal management negligence (such as fire and sexual misconduct) should be accurately reflected in addition to performance evaluation.

Regarding the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, there was a call to establish a monitoring system for the initial situation assessment by Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, the project operator, related to the recent fire incident at Shin-Kori Nuclear Power Plant Unit 4.

Hong Ik-pyo cited the Tokyo Electric Power Company's initial misjudgment during the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan as an example, stating, "When operators repeatedly underestimate or downplay the initial situation, institutional policies that impose post-evaluations or penalties are necessary to raise awareness among operators."

Minister Lim Hye-sook of the Ministry of Science and ICT, attending her first standing committee meeting since taking office, responded, "We will make every effort to ensure that the achievements from this Korea-US summit lead to concrete results that the public can feel through follow-up measures." Minister Lim also pledged to do her best in the given tasks, including ▲accelerating digital transformation across society ▲nurturing innovative talents to lead the post-COVID-19 era ▲and making bold and challenging R&D investments.