New Vice Minister and Innovation Headquarters Chief of Ministry of Science and ICT Inaugurated: "R&D Innovation and AI Ecosystem Development"

Lee Chang-yoon 1st Vice Minister, Kang Do-hyun 2nd Vice Minister, Ryu Kwang-jun Head Inauguration
R&D Budget Increase Expected, Promise of AI-Centered Digital Transformation
All Internal Appointments... "Making Employees Feel Rewarded"

President Yoon Suk-yeol's appointees, the new 1st and 2nd Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Director General of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters (at the vice minister level), have assumed their posts. They expressed their commitment to doing their best for scientific and technological innovation, including transitioning to a leading R&D system and accelerating AI-centered digital transformation.

On the morning of the 26th, newly appointed officials of the Ministry of Science and ICT (from left) Kang Do-hyun, 2nd Vice Minister, Lee Chang-yoon, 1st Vice Minister, and Ryu Kwang-jun, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters, are greeting reporters. Photo by Hwang Seo-yul chestnut@

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that at 9 a.m. on the 26th, the new 1st Vice Minister Lee Chang-yoon, 2nd Vice Minister Kang Do-hyun, and Director General Ryu Gwang-jun of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters took their oath of office. Immediately after the oath ceremony, they spent time communicating with civil servants by visiting various departments.

After the oath ceremony, they met with reporters to share their aspirations. Vice Minister Kang said, "The three of us will work together to create a stronger organization and a great culture than anywhere else," adding, "We plan to develop new services in the digital and security technology sectors by promoting large-scale projects and strengthening cooperation with related ministries."

1st Vice Minister and Innovation Headquarters Director General Strive to Transition to Leading R&D System

(Left) Lee Chang-yoon, newly appointed 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT (Right) Ryu Kwang-jun, newly appointed Head of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters / Photo by Ministry of Science and ICT

Vice Minister Lee and Director General Ryu expressed in their inaugural speeches their dedication to shifting the R&D system from a follower model to a leader model. Vice Minister Lee stated, "Last year, the government made the difficult decision to restructure the budget to transition from a follower to a leading R&D system," adding, "Since there may be challenges in the research field during this process, we will listen carefully to the voices from the field, diagnose difficulties, and communicate to make improvements."

Director General Ryu said, "We will integrate small fragmented R&D projects into larger-scale R&D projects to enable stable research and improve the preliminary feasibility study system to better suit their characteristics."

The R&D budget is expected to be increased. Director General Ryu told reporters, "President Yoon has already announced that the R&D budget will be increased," adding, "We will allocate as much budget as needed where it is necessary." Vice Minister Lee also said, "The departments in charge of projects will reorganize efficiently and strategically in line with government policy directions and communicate with financial authorities."

Additionally, Vice Minister Lee promised in his inaugural speech to devise plans for nurturing scientific and technological talent, securing basic and foundational technologies, and creating new industries. Director General Ryu also added that they will support the Staripend (research living scholarship) to help young researchers grow and invest with a long-term perspective in basic and foundational research and next-generation technologies.

2nd Vice Minister: "AI-Centered Digital Transformation... Securing Leadership through the 'Seoul Declaration'"

Kang Dohyun, New Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT / Photo by Ministry of Science and ICT

Vice Minister Kang emphasized in his inaugural speech that he will lead the creation of an AI ecosystem and accelerate AI-centered digital transformation. He said, "If generative AI is successfully applied domestically, it is expected to have an economic ripple effect exceeding 300 trillion won annually," adding, "Accelerating AI-centered digital transformation will be a breakthrough for South Korea's economic growth amid the global economic downturn."

He also mentioned that through the 'AI Safety Summit' to be held in Seoul this May, they will secure digital leadership and create the 'Seoul Declaration,' which will embody South Korea's policy vision.

Furthermore, Vice Minister Kang promised innovation in the telecommunications sector through promoting competition in the telecom market and stabilizing new market entrants, enhancing vitality in new industries and markets through future-oriented frequency supply, preparing for the 6G and satellite communication era, building digital infrastructure, and strengthening cybersecurity capabilities.

He also emphasized his aspirations to improve organizational culture. Vice Minister Kang told reporters, "Our country's organizations are divided by specialization, but the field, policies, and work are all carried out in an integrated manner," adding, "We will break down barriers between departments, organizations, and ministries and create larger-scale structures to produce what the field needs."

"Cheers for Internal Appointments"... Will Internal Appointments Strengthen Field Communication?

On the morning of the 26th, Lee Chang-yoon, the First Vice Minister, visited the Ministry of Science and ICT press room and answered reporters' questions. Photo by Hwang Seo-yul chestnut@

A notable feature of the three newly appointed officials is their long tenure working within the Ministry of Science and ICT. Vice Minister Lee passed the 30th Technical Examination in 1994 and has served as Director of Science and Technology Job Innovation, Director of Large-scale Public Research Policy, Director of Basic and Fundamental Research Policy, and Director of R&D Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT. Last year, he served as the Head of the National Science and Technology Advisory Council Support Group.

Vice Minister Kang passed the 38th Administrative Examination in 1994 and has held positions such as Director of Software Policy, Director of AI-based Policy, Director of Information and Communication Policy, and Director of the Information and Communication Policy Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT. Director General Ryu passed the 37th Administrative Examination in 1993 and has served as Director General of Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Policy Planning Officer, Director of Planning and Coordination Office, and Coordinator of Science and Technology Innovation.

There are expectations that internal appointments will lead to more active communication within the organization. Vice Minister Lee told reporters, "Having spent 29 years here, I have worked with or know most of the staff," adding, "When I visited departments, people even called out my name." He further said, "While the vice ministers and ministers set the direction, the actual work is done by the staff, so I want them to feel a sense of fulfillment in their work."