Yoon to KAIST Graduates: "Do Not Fear Failure... The Government Will Support You Fully"

Yoon Attends KAIST Graduation Ceremony
Significant Expansion of R&D Budget

President Yoon Suk-yeol urged the graduates of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) on the 16th, saying, "My administration and I will do our utmost to support you so that you can challenge yourselves freely. We will significantly increase the research and development (R&D) budget for a quantum leap toward becoming a science powerhouse," and encouraged them, "Do not fear failure."

At the graduation ceremony held at KAIST in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, in the afternoon, President Yoon said in his congratulatory speech, "We will fully support challenging and innovative research and the growth of young researchers, and actively back cooperation and growth with the world's top researchers."

President Yoon stated, "The history of KAIST itself is a miraculous achievement of the Republic of Korea. At the time of its founding, we did not even have a proper graduate school, and talented individuals had no choice but to go abroad to continue their research. With the decisive action of President Park Chung-hee, the will of the people, and support from our ally, the United States, the predecessor of KAIST, the Korea Institute of Science, was established in 1971."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon also said, "In just half a century, South Korea has become a world-leading science and technology powerhouse, and KAIST has played a central role as the top science education institution." He added, "Dr. Frederick Terman, who brought in U.S. support at the time, predicted that KAIST's future would 'produce talents leading the nation and become a role model for other countries, greatly improving living standards.' KAIST has achieved remarkable accomplishments that surpass Dr. Frederick's predictions."

Furthermore, President Yoon said, "More than 106,000 science and technology talents nurtured by KAIST have founded over 1,300 companies, creating Startup Korea. They are leading scientific and technological innovation through cooperation with excellent domestic and international institutions and industries," and encouraged, "Dear proud KAIST graduates, you will face difficulties on your path. Do not fear failure and boldly take on challenges. You can always rise again, and I will hold your hand."