Yoon's Speech on Science and Technology and Information and Communication Day
First Presidential Attendance at Ceremony in 8 Years
Directly Introducing Honorees While Calling Their Names
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 game-changing technologies?artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductors, advanced bio, and quantum?and strategic cooperation with allied countries."
President Yoon made these remarks during his commemorative speech at the '2024 Science and Technology and Information and Communications Day' ceremony held at the National Gwacheon Science Museum in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, in the afternoon. The Presidential Office reported that he said, "We will revolutionize the preliminary feasibility study process for research and development (R&D) so that researchers can start their work promptly."
In particular, President Yoon emphasized in his speech, "The entire 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 the first mover in advanced science and technology fields."
During the speech, he also called out the names of distinguished contributors to science and technology and information and communications, introducing their achievements and encouraging them directly. President Yoon referred to Han Min-gu, chairman of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology and recipient of South Korea’s highest science and technology award, as "a leading scientist of our country who has created world-class achievements in the display field," and mentioned, "Chairman Han’s father was also Professor Han Man-chun, the first Ph.D. in electrical engineering in South Korea and known as the 'father of the Korean electric power industry.'" He requested applause for Drs. Lee Dong-won and Lee Seung-won, who work at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, saying, "The elder brother is dedicated to nuclear physics research, and the younger brother is tirelessly engaged in developing export-type reactors."
President Yoon’s attendance at the Science and Technology and Information and Communications Day ceremony marks the first time in eight years since former President Park Geun-hye attended in 2016. Science and Technology and Information and Communications Day commemorates April 21, the founding day of the Ministry of Science and Technology in 1967 (Science Day), and April 22, the establishment day of the Postal Service Bureau in 1884 (Information and Communications Day). Since 2013, with the launch of the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, the two commemorations have been held jointly.
Additionally, President Yoon personally presented orders of merit and presidential citations to eight national contributors to science, technology, and information and communications, conveying his congratulations and encouragement. Among the eight awardees, Im Mi-hye, honorary researcher at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, who received the Order of Science and Technology Innovation (first class), is an authority in cutting-edge polymer polyamide resin research and holds an impressive 168 patents.
Professor Lee Hee-jung of Korea University, awarded the Order of Service Merit, Hwangjo Geunjeong Medal (second class), has actively participated in the overall establishment of ICT policies such as network usage fees, net neutrality, and regulatory sandboxes. Professor Henkenmeyer 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.
The ceremony also featured presentations by experts related to the nurturing plans for the three game-changing technologies. An Jung-ho, dean of the Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology at Seoul National University and presenter on AI semiconductors, emphasized, "We must fully leverage our country's world-class semiconductor competitiveness, AI model and service capabilities, and independent AI ecosystem," according to a written briefing by Kim Soo-kyung, spokesperson for the Presidential Office.
In the advanced bio sector presentation, Professor Ko Ah-ra of the Department of Life Sciences at Pohang University of Science and Technology suggested, "Bio-innovation foundational technologies combined with high-quality bio data create new platforms, and further strengthen the 'bio value chain' that leads to tangible outcomes for the public."
Professor Son Young-ik of the Department of Electrical Engineering at KAIST, who presented on the quantum field, stated, "The quantum sector has not yet established a dominant technology, and competition among technologies is ongoing, so the opportunity for early dominance remains open. Based on our excellent semiconductor and ICT technological capabilities, we must secure outstanding talent and connect our strong technologies to industrialization."
After the ceremony, President Yoon toured the special exhibition "Invisible Universe" at the National Gwacheon Science Museum with ten students from Munwon Middle School in Gwacheon.
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