Meeting Young Scientists and Technologists, Yoon Urges "Develop Technology Surpassing ASML" (Comprehensive)

Dialogue with Future Scientists Held After Over a Year
Graduate Student Research Life Scholarship Promised
Support for Emerging Researchers' Growth Also Provided

President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 16th urged, "I hope future scientists will grow rapidly, develop new technologies that surpass ASML, and lead global science and technology."

President Yoon made these remarks during a "Dialogue with Future Scientists" held in Daejeon in the afternoon, where he invited young scientists to listen to their stories. He referred to his visit to the semiconductor equipment company ASML during his state visit to the Netherlands last December. This is the first time in 1 year and 2 months since December 2022 that President Yoon has held a dialogue with future scientists.

He continued, "Without the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment, which this company is the only one in the world to produce, it is impossible to manufacture advanced nano semiconductors. As a result, even though one piece of equipment costs 700 billion won, semiconductor powerhouses such as Korea, the United States, and China line up to acquire it," emphasizing, "Our country must also possess such science and technology to become a 'first mover.'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon also promised support for the research activities of scientists and engineers. First, he reiterated the plan to introduce a 'Graduate Student Research Living Scholarship' starting next year so that full-time science and engineering graduate students participating in national research and development can focus on their studies and research.

At the 12th Livelihood Discussion held that morning, President Yoon announced the introduction of a stipend for full-time science and engineering graduate students participating in national research and development, providing at least 800,000 won per month for master's students and at least 1.1 million won for doctoral students.

Additionally, the government plans to increase the scholarship budget by about 130 billion won this year and expand the Presidential Science Scholarship, which was previously only given to undergraduates, to graduate students, providing an average of 25 million won per person annually.

Finally, President Yoon said, "When I was young, my dream was to become a mathematician or scientist. Although I did not achieve that dream, my passion and interest in science remain unchanged, and I want to be remembered as the president who best supported the dreams and challenges of our scientists," pledging government support.

The event was attended by about 200 people, including over 110 Presidential Science Scholars selected in 2023, about 50 middle and high school students who won international Olympiads, Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho, and Cho Yul-lae, Chairman of the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity.

President Yoon presented scholarship certificates and commemorative medals to two representatives of the Presidential Science Scholars and handed commemorative plaques of the International Science Olympiad to four representatives of the International Science Olympiad winners, conveying his congratulations and encouragement.

When Seo Jeong-hyun, a student from Minjok Leadership Academy attending the event, asked, "What policy support do you think is necessary for our country to become a science and technology powerhouse?" President Yoon replied, "It is important to interact and cooperate with world-class researchers. We plan to provide substantial support for our researchers to conduct research alongside world-renowned scientists."