22nd National Assembly Science and Technology Elected Members Speak with One Voice
Also Propose Cooperation
Science and technology lawmakers-elect preparing to enter the 22nd National Assembly expressed their commitment to legislative support on issues such as space, research and development (R&D) budgets, the AI Basic Act, and the expansion of medical school quotas.
The Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) held the "22nd Science and Technology Lawmakers-Elect Invitation Meeting" on the 24th at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Eleven lawmakers-elect attended, including Ahn Cheol-soo, Lee In-seon, Go Dong-jin, Kim So-hee, Park Chung-kwon, Choi Su-jin, and Han Ji-a from the People Power Party; Cha Ji-ho, Hwang Jeong-a, and Kim Yoon from the Democratic Party; and Lee Hae-min from the Innovation Party for Justice.
On the 24th, attendees of the '22nd Science and Technology Sector Newly Elected Members of the National Assembly Invitation Meeting' held at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Baek Jong-min
As lawmakers-elect who will lead the science and technology sector in the 22nd National Assembly gathered, the Ministry of Science and ICT also participated, including Minister Lee Jong-ho, First Vice Minister Lee Chang-yoon, Director Ryu Kwang-jun of the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters, and Director Gu Hyuk-chae of the Policy Office, engaging closely with the lawmakers-elect. Presidents of science and technology institutes such as UNIST, DGIST, and GIST also joined.
Minister Lee said, "In the 21st National Assembly, there was the achievement of passing a special law to foster 12 national strategic technologies prepared by the government," and requested, "Please support the passage of science and technology-related bills and the reflection of appropriate budgets in the 22nd National Assembly." He particularly urged lawmakers-elect to show interest in the Space Agency and the AI Basic Act.
Lawmaker-elect Lee In-seon said, "Since broadcasting and science are combined under the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, urgent bills like the AI Basic Act might not be processed even until the last day of the 21st National Assembly. The R&D budget was cut due to a lack of communication, and it would have been better if it had been examined more thoroughly." She expressed regret and proposed that female lawmakers-elect from opposition parties cooperate at least in the science and technology field in the 22nd National Assembly.
Go Dong-jin, a former president of Samsung Electronics and a lawmaker-elect, emphasized, "Science and technology should not fluctuate based on political logic. If the government-funded research institutes are supported well without political interference, they can grow on their own." He also expressed his ambition to actively voice opinions in the semiconductor sector.
Lawyer-turned-lawmaker-elect Kim Yoon said, "If the conflict over the expansion of medical school quotas is resolved, it will be possible to establish new universities for medical science development and to nurture physician-scientists." He also stated, "The science and technology field should not become a battleground for partisan disputes."
Lawyer-elect Park Chung-kwon, originally from North Korea, said, "There are many paths we must take, such as AI, quantum technology, next-generation nuclear power, and space. In science and technology, there are no borders or party lines," urging that the ruling and opposition parties must unite to successfully accomplish these tasks.
Godongjin, the 22nd National Assembly member-elect and former president of Samsung Electronics, is receiving the 'Science and Technology Supporters' plaque from Taesik Lee, president of the Korea Federation of Science and Technology Societies. Photo by Jongmin Baek
Lee Hae-min, a former Google employee and lawmaker-elect, said, "I am more confident than anyone else about artificial intelligence. Since I myself received national support during my student days, I will give much thought to young scientists."
Lawmaker-elect Choi Su-jin expressed her ambition, saying, "I will contribute to raising the standard of living for the people." Hwang Jeong-a, a former researcher at the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, expressed confidence, saying, "There are urgent issues such as the Space Agency and R&D budgets. I will show how well a science and engineering graduate can perform."
Lee Tae-sik, president of KOFST, said, "We will continue to promote cooperation between the science and technology community and the 22nd National Assembly through regional meetings in the future."
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