First Official Schedule After Returning from Overseas Trip
Attendees Emphasize the Importance of Workforce
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the last day of the Lunar New Year holiday, the 24th, President Yoon Suk-yeol held a luncheon and discussion session with scientists in the fields of quantum technology, artificial intelligence (AI), bio, and space. This luncheon was his first official schedule after returning from his visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Switzerland on the 21st.
The presidential office reported that President Yoon held a dialogue with young leaders in science and technology at the Nuri Hall of the Yongsan Presidential Office building. The scientific leaders attending included Professor Son Young-ik of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in the quantum field; Professors Jeon Byung-gon of Seoul National University and Kim Sun-joo of Yonsei University in AI; Professors Yoon Tae-young of Seoul National University and Woo Jae-sung of Korea University in advanced bio; and Professor Yoon Hyo-sang of KAIST in the space field.
During the luncheon, President Yoon and the scientists discussed government support measures to secure competitiveness in each field. The attendees identified securing human resources as the top priority for strengthening competitiveness.
Suggestions were made to attract excellent overseas research institutions to secure talent and to establish new research institutions where outstanding master's and doctoral-level researchers can continue their work in research areas without direct corporate demand.
President Yoon stated, "Science and technology are the starting point for all fields including security and the economy," adding, "It is important to select and focus support on the fields where we can excel the most and nurture them."
He emphasized the importance of international cooperation that divides roles by field with major countries such as the United States, fostering talent and creating high value through this collaboration. He also instructed Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT to improve the proper execution of national research and development (R&D) funds to ensure concrete outcomes.
The dialogue extended beyond the scheduled 90 minutes, lasting a total of 2 hours. The presidential office stated, "This dialogue was conducted as a follow-up measure to the UAE and Switzerland visits," and explained the achievements in the field of science and technology to the participants.
On the 20th (local time), President Yoon declared this year as the "year of quantum science and technology leap" during a discussion with quantum science scholars at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.
Earlier, on the 17th, President Yoon emphasized the importance of science and technology at the 'Future Vision Dubai Forum' held at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, UAE.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
