President Yoon Hosts 230 Future Scientists at the State Guesthouse
Comparing Time Taken for First Olympic Gold Medal and World Cup Success: "Our Science Level at a Critical Point"
Government Pledges Research Support... Yoon: "We Must Prevent Excuses About Lack of Funding for Research"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] "It's time for a Nobel laureate to emerge, and once one appears, many will follow."
On the morning of the 22nd, President Yoon Suk-yeol made this bold statement during the 'Dialogue with Future Scientists' event held at the Blue House State Guest House, where he invited national scientific talents. He said, "I have been asked, 'When will Korea produce a Nobel Prize winner in the field of science?'"
Emphasizing that it took a long time from winning South Korea's first Olympic gold medal (at the 1976 Montreal Olympics) to the national soccer team’s success in the World Cup, President Yoon encouraged young scientists by saying, "Our scientific level has now reached a critical point."
President Yoon said, "When we first won an Olympic gold medal, I was in high school. The whole nation was truly excited about winning the gold medal," adding, "But now, don't we win dozens every time we participate?" Regarding the World Cup, he also mentioned, "Now, we have qualified for the World Cup finals more than ten times, advanced to the round of 16, and are no longer afraid of world-class soccer stars, competing shoulder to shoulder with them."
President Yoon stated, "I expect that many Nobel Prize and Fields Medal winners will emerge among you here in the future," and "Some research results achieved within about a year among you might immediately influence the Nobel Prize, but you may also receive such awards later in life after your early research results are evaluated by the academic community."
Furthermore, he raised his voice, saying, "I believe that in the future, so many Nobel laureates will emerge that there will be no need for the president to hold such events just because someone has won a Nobel Prize. It is possible," to which the young scientists responded, "Yes."
He also promised active government support for scientific research. President Yoon said, "When considering whether a country has strong economic power and defense capabilities, and whether it maintains a high level of academic and cultural standards, I believe the country's level is directly proportional to its scientific level," adding, "We must establish education systems and research frameworks so that no one says they cannot study or conduct research due to lack of funds."
He reiterated the need for research support, emphasizing that science has made the greatest contribution to the expansion of human freedom since the citizen revolutions. President Yoon expressed, "The state must fully support scientists' research and enable them to pursue the research they want and collaborate. That is an important reason for the existence of the nation."
He also pledged to respect the autonomy of scientists' research while providing support. President Yoon explained, "It is not about controlling and deciding research projects and support. Science can flourish when an atmosphere and environment are created where universities, research institutes, and all fields can freely conduct research, choose projects, integrate, and collaborate."
He urged them to become scientists who can contribute to all humanity. President Yoon said, "Of course, it is a great help to the nation, but I also expect that your research and collaborative achievements will be a great contribution to all mankind."
He added, "Whether you conduct research in South Korea or any other country in the world in the future, please keep in mind that science is not just for a specific country but for all humanity, so you do not have to rely too much on patriotism."
Meanwhile, the invited future scientists at the event included a total of 230 people, comprising 140 presidential science scholarship students this year and 44 international science Olympiad awardees. President Yoon presented scholarship certificates to the science scholarship students and commemorative plaques and prizes to the international science Olympiad awardees, congratulating and encouraging them. First Lady Kim Keon-hee also attended the event.
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