[Future Wave] The Era of Gijeonghak: A Blueprint for Korea’s Scientific and Technological Sovereignty

Resolution of the ‘National Strategic Technologies Basic Plan’ Amid Fierce Global Technological Competition
Proactive Development of Future Core Technologies
Based on Discovery and Investment in Basic Sciences
Strengthening Solidarity with Like-Minded Countries Becomes Increasingly Important

Professor Seoyong Seok, Graduate School of Culture Technology, KAIST

Last month, the ‘1st Basic Plan for the Development of National Strategic Technologies’ was approved at the National Science and Technology Advisory Council deliberation meeting. This is a mid- to long-term five-year statutory plan at the whole-of-government level, released one year after the enforcement of the ‘Special Act on the Development of 12 National Strategic Technologies’ in September last year. The author also contributed to the establishment of the basic plan while serving as co-chair of the advisory committee for the plan’s formulation.

The background for establishing the basic plan lies in the fierce global competition for technological supremacy surrounding strategic technologies. It can be called the era of ‘Gijeonghak (技政學)’?where the possession of advanced technologies significantly impacts not only industry and trade but also national security and alliance relations. Against this backdrop, the main focus of this plan is to early transform strategic technologies into growth engines and to consolidate whole-of-government capabilities to respond to the global technological security bloc formation. Through this, the goal is to maintain Korea’s super-gap status while securing scientific and technological sovereignty.

The establishment of this basic plan is significant in that it provides a future blueprint for the development and securing of national strategic technologies. Above all, it is important to note that the plan is not a one-time effort but will be updated every two years. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, famously said, “Plans are nothing. Planning is everything.” This may mean that the process of preparing a plan is more meaningful and important than the plan itself, but it also emphasizes the ‘rolling’ nature of plans. In other words, plans must be continuously reviewed, revised, and updated according to changing circumstances to realize their true value.

In the context of the plan’s ‘rolling’ nature, several points that should be additionally reviewed or strengthened in the future are proposed as follows. First, the discovery and investment in ‘cross-cutting’ basic sciences that can be commonly considered or serve as a cross-base across the 12 strategic technology areas and 50 detailed technology fields. Basic science can be regarded as the soil and root of all strategic technologies, and strategic technologies built on a weak basic science foundation may become a house of cards.

Second, a long-term vision and plan are required to predict, discover, nurture, and secure future strategic technologies looking 30 years ahead. Although currently emerging technologies may have minimal influence, they could become core game changers in the future. It is necessary to establish a system that can proactively predict and nurture such technologies. Going forward, Korea must develop capabilities to lead global technology trends rather than merely follow them.

Third, there needs to be concrete consideration on how to strategically utilize the secured core technologies. Japan leverages its strengths in Sobujang (materials, parts, and equipment) technologies as strategic levers in its alliances. Strategic technologies can be utilized for various purposes, including industry, economy, diplomacy, trade, defense, security, and alliance relations. This is also why this plan is a whole-of-government plan.

Fourth, talent development. Ultimately, it is people who develop technologies and apply them across various fields such as industry. This plan also addresses talent development as a key section. It proposes measures such as advancing talent policies to nurture excellent talent and establishing a global talent map. One area that requires more attention and reinforcement in the future is the retention of core talent. It is imperative to prevent the loss of nurtured talent to competing countries.

Lastly, building cooperative partnerships on strategic technologies with countries that share values. In today’s deepening digital transformation and hyper-connected era, it is neither possible nor desirable to be self-sufficient in all technologies. Particularly, solidarity between countries in non-technical areas is becoming increasingly important. For example, ethical issues arising from technological advancement, norms and regulatory issues, and technology standardization are even more important than cooperation in technology development.

Seoyongseok, Professor at KAIST MunSul Graduate School of Future Strategy