Minister of Science and ICT: "Creating a Semiconductor Researcher Status Map to Recruit Talent"

"Budget for Young Researchers Increased by 54%
Prevent Brain Drain and Attract Overseas Talent"

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT is responding to questions from lawmakers at the full meeting of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, announced on the 17th that he is preparing a plan to strategically attract talent by creating a 'Semiconductor Top Researchers Status Map' to prevent the overseas outflow of semiconductor talent and to recruit outstanding overseas talent. The minister also added, "The budget for young researchers has been increased by as much as 54.6%."

Minister Lee appeared on 'KBS Jeon Jong-cheol's Jeonggyeok Sisa' and, in response to a question about recruiting outstanding semiconductor talent from abroad, said, "There must be overseas Korean researchers or top 1% elite personnel, and we are preparing a plan to attract talent by creating a Semiconductor Top Researchers Status Map." According to the minister, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to recruit about 500 additional outstanding semiconductor talents by 2027. They are also considering extending the Science Card visa period granted to overseas talent from the original one year to up to ten years.

Regarding the cultivation of domestic semiconductor talent, he explained, "It is estimated that there will be a shortage of 120,000 people by 2031, and we are preparing under a plan to nurture 150,000 people." He added, "We aim to nurture 30,000 bachelor's level talents this year and more than 3,700 master's and doctoral level advanced talents." Additionally, he mentioned plans to send 2,000 postdoctoral researchers to prestigious institutions for training by 2027 to help them develop world-class capabilities.

Minister Lee referred to President Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks during the livelihood discussion on the 15th, stating, "Semiconductor diplomacy is semiconductor itself," and said he would also strengthen overseas exchanges. The minister said, "There are parts where semiconductor research is being promoted through joint funding with the United States and the European Union (EU). We will also create an environment where these facilities and our facilities can conduct research together."