The Ministry of Science and ICT has decided to reorganize the downsized organization following the establishment of the Space Aviation Agency and strengthen basic convergence research.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 26th that the "Ministry of Science and ICT Organization and Enforcement Rules Amendment," which reorganizes the Research and Development Policy Office under the First Vice Minister to reflect space policies, projects, and related organizations moving to the Space Aviation Agency, will be implemented on the 27th.
According to the amendment, the Office of Large Public Research Policy, which lost two divisions responsible for space policies and projects, will be reorganized into the Office of Public Convergence Research Policy to support technology convergence and research and development cooperation. The Office of Basic Fundamental Research Policy will be reorganized from six divisions to four divisions.
The space-related divisions will be replaced with future energy (nuclear fusion and hydrogen), climate adaptation technology development, advancement of large research facilities, and strengthening the production and utilization of research data.
The newly established Future Energy and Environmental Technology Division will be responsible for future energy technologies such as nuclear fusion and hydrogen, as well as climate adaptation technologies. The Public Research Infrastructure Innovation Division will manage large research facilities including accelerators and also handle policies for the utilization and dissemination of research data. A new Public Convergence Technology Policy Division, dedicated to solving social problems through science and technology, will also be created.
The Nuclear Research and Development Division will be responsible for nuclear technology development such as Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and will establish an internal Nuclear Research Cooperation Team to support the overseas expansion of domestic nuclear technology.
The functions of the Convergence Technology Division will be transferred to divisions such as the Public Convergence Technology Policy Division, and the Advanced Biotechnology Division and Life Technology Division will be reorganized by establishing a Life Technology Team within the Advanced Biotechnology Division.
The Science and Technology Job Innovation Office will be reorganized into the Research Performance Innovation Office, focusing on supporting startup entrepreneurship and innovation in government-funded research institutes.
Lee Chang-yoon, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "Through this organizational restructuring, we will promote collaboration within and outside the ministry to fulfill the mission of becoming a global science and technology powerhouse and improving the quality of life for the people, and also lead to software-type innovations such as work style innovation centered on the field."
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