Attendance at the Science and Technology and Information and Communication Day Ceremony
President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 22nd, "We will foster South Korea to leap into one of the 'top three global science and technology nations' by 2030 through focused investment in the three major game-changing technologies?artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors, advanced bio, and quantum?and strategic cooperation with allied countries."
President Yoon attended the commemorative ceremony for the '2024 Science and Technology and Information and Communications Day' held at the National Gwacheon Science Museum in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, and delivered a commemorative speech. According to the presidential office, he said, "We will drastically reform the preliminary feasibility study for research and development (R&D) so that researchers can start their research on time."
In particular, President Yoon emphasized in his speech, "The whole world is engaged in a 'war without gunfire' to secure technological sovereignty and lead future markets," adding, "We will fully support innovative and challenging research so that South Korea can become a first mover in advanced science and technology fields."
This is the first time in eight years that President Yoon has attended Science and Technology and Information and Communications Day since former President Park Geun-hye attended in 2016. Science and Technology and Information and Communications Day commemorates Science Day (April 21), the founding day of the Ministry of Science and Technology in 1967, and Information and Communications Day (April 22), the founding day of the Postal Service Bureau in 1884. Since the launch of the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning in 2013, the ceremonies for these two days have been held jointly.
Additionally, President Yoon presented orders, medals, and presidential citations to eight individuals who have contributed to national science, technology, and information and communications, conveying his congratulations and encouragement. Among the eight awardees, Im Mi-hye, an honorary researcher at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology who received the Order of Science and Technology Innovation (1st class), is an authority in cutting-edge polymer polyamide resin research and holds as many as 168 patents.
Furthermore, Professor Lee Hee-jung of Korea University, who was awarded the Order of Service Merit, Hwangjo Geunjeong Medal (2nd class), has actively participated in the overall establishment of ICT policies such as network utilization fees, net neutrality, and regulatory sandbox.
Professor Henkensmeier Diok of the University of Science and Technology, a foreign recipient of the presidential citation, was recognized for his contributions to hydrogen technology development through his specialized research on separator materials.
After the ceremony, President Yoon toured the special exhibition "Invisible Universe" at the National Gwacheon Science Museum together with ten students from Munwon Middle School in Gwacheon.
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