KEIT, 2023 Industrial Technology Level Survey Results
Technology Gap with US Widens by 0.1 Year
Experts "R&D Investment Must Be Expanded"
It was found that the technological level of South Korea in 25 major industrial sectors is 0.9 years behind that of the United States. While display and secondary batteries are at the world’s highest level, next-generation aviation and 3D printing fields are significantly lagging behind.
The Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KEIT) announced on the 13th the '2023 Industrial Technology Level Survey Results,' which include the technological levels and technology gaps by country.
This survey was conducted by gathering opinions from 2,722 experts in various technology fields on the industrial technology levels and relative technology gaps of the five major OECD countries (South Korea, the United States, Japan, China, and the EU). The country with the highest technology level was assumed to be 100% (technology gap of 0 years), and the technology levels (technology gaps) of other countries were expressed as relative figures (%, years).
Based on the United States (100%), the average industrial technology level by country was evaluated, with South Korea rated at 88% (technology gap of 0.9 years). The EU was 93.7% (technology gap of 0.39 years), Japan 92.9% (technology gap of 0.43 years), and China 83% (technology gap of 1.2 years), in that order.
Compared to the 2021 survey, South Korea’s technology level rose by about 1.1 percentage points to 86.9%, but the technology gap needed to catch up with the highest technology level slightly increased from 0.8 years.
Looking at the 25 major industrial technology sectors, South Korea showed the highest technology level in the display sector, while it was analyzed to have the lowest technology level among the five major countries in next-generation aviation and 3D printing technology fields.
Technology Levels of Korea by 25 Fields. Source=Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology '2023 Industrial Technology Level Survey Results'
The United States showed the highest technology level in most industrial technology sectors except for display and secondary batteries. Europe was found to have the best technology in advanced manufacturing processes, equipment, and shipbuilding and marine plant sectors, while Japan held the top technology in ceramics, carbon materials, and foundational technologies.
In 74 detailed technology fields, South Korea was found to have the highest technology level in a total of seven fields, including five areas of flexible displays and two areas of secondary batteries. This is an increase of one field compared to 2021, and it is analyzed that South Korea surpassed the United States, which previously held the highest technology in the lithium secondary battery reuse field.
Korea's Status of Possessing Top Technologies. Source=Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology '2023 Industrial Technology Level Survey Results'
Meanwhile, as measures to overcome the technology gap, experts in the research field suggested 'expanding research and development (R&D) investment (47.6%)' and 'strengthening international and domestic industry-academia-research cooperation (14.3%).' The opinion that R&D investment should be expanded has been steadily increasing, from 30.8% in 2019 to 36.0% in 2021.
Yun-Jong Jeon, President of KEIT, emphasized, "Even in fields with high technology levels, global competition is accelerating," adding, "The government and private sector must cooperate to focus on technology development and secure global super-gap technological competitiveness."
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