Continuous Decline in R&D Outcomes of Overseas Organizations by Science and Technology Research Institutes

Assemblyman Sang-hwi Lee "Measures Needed to Achieve Substantial Research Outcomes"

Among the government-funded research institutes managed by the National Science and Technology Council (NST) under the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, and Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) operate overseas branches. However, key performance indicators such as papers and patents have shown a noticeable decline, making it urgent to devise countermeasures.

On the 17th, Lee Sang-hwi, a member of the People Power Party, raised the issue of declining research outcomes during the Science, Technology, Broadcasting and Communications Committee’s national audit held at the KAIST auditorium in Daejeon, urging the strengthening of R&D capabilities of the overseas branches of government-funded research institutes.

According to data submitted by NST to Lee Sang-hwi’s office, as of 2024, the overseas branches of government-funded research institutes operate 12 locations in 7 countries. These branches have 87 personnel and a budget of approximately 11.1 billion KRW, with 65% of the budget coming from government grants.

Over the past five years, research performance indicators of these branches have been declining. The number of SCI papers decreased from 58 in 2019 to 46 in 2023, an average annual decline of 5.6%, while non-SCI papers dropped from 7 to 1 during the same period, a 38.5% decrease. Additionally, domestic patent registrations fell from 6 to 2, a 24% decrease, and overseas patent registrations also showed a downward trend.

Among the six overseas branches of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology and ETRI, there were no research and development achievements. Lee Sang-hwi pointed out that although these branches are primarily operated to support domestic companies’ overseas expansion and technology exchange, they are not sufficiently fulfilling their original roles as research and development institutions.

Lee emphasized, “It is a serious problem that R&D outcomes are declining in overseas branches funded by national budgets,” adding, “While maintaining the specialized activities currently carried out by the overseas branches, measures should be devised to increase the proportion of R&D to produce tangible results.”