'Global Era of Great Transformation... Public Science and Technology Innovation' Forum
Co-hosted by Ahn Cheol-soo, Special AI Committee Chair of the People Power Party, and others
As the second term of the Trump administration is set to begin next year, voices have emerged in the National Assembly calling for strengthening public science and technology in areas such as memory semiconductors, secondary batteries, and displays.
Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, co-hosted a grand forum titled "The Role of the National Assembly in Public Science and Technology Innovation in the Era of Global Transformation" at the National Assembly Library on the 26th and delivered a greeting. Photo by Ahn's office
Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party who co-hosted the grand forum titled ‘The Role of the National Assembly in Public Science and Technology Innovation in an Era of Global Transformation’ held at the National Assembly Library on the 26th, said, “There are concerns that the science and technology hegemony war will intensify ahead of the second term of the Trump administration,” adding, “Trump’s America First policy and China containment strategy will bring about significant changes.”
He continued, “The only way for us to survive is to possess ultra-gap technology,” and added, “The technology of the Fourth Industrial Revolution will become a weapon to protect national interests in the economy and security sectors.”
Cho Seung-rae, a member of the Democratic Party and honorary chairman of the Korea Science and Technology Policy Association, said in his welcoming remarks, “We stand before great changes brought by groundbreaking and new technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum technology,” and “We live in an era where scientific and technological competitiveness translates into national competitiveness.”
Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party (center in the photo), and others are taking a commemorative photo at the grand debate titled "The Role of the National Assembly for Public Science and Technology Innovation in the Era of Global Transformation," jointly hosted at the National Assembly Library on the 26th. Photo by Ahn's Office
Lee Woo-il, professor emeritus at Seoul National University and the presenter at the forum, emphasized in his presentation titled ‘Sustainable Growth through Science and Technology Innovation’ that “we have entered an era of ‘technology hegemony’ where science and technology affect not only the economy but also diplomacy, security, and the international order.” He added, “South Korea ranks 8th in the world in basic science capabilities, and the number of researchers per thousand people is 8.61, ranking first globally,” and “a shift in budget, policy, and projects is necessary for government-funded research institutes (GFRIs) to leap forward as first movers.”
As of the end of 2022, the total regular workforce of 25 GFRIs was 16,002, steadily increasing from 15,699 in 2020 and 15,830 in 2021, but still at a modest level. The professor emeritus also pointed out, “Excellent personnel are leaving for various reasons.”
Kwon Seong-hoon, a legislative researcher at the National Assembly Research Service who participated as a panelist, said, “The 22nd National Assembly is discussing important bills for the development of the public sector science and technology innovation system,” adding, “It is expected that legislation on the promotion of science and technology culture will also be discussed, and regarding GFRIs, amendments to the Act on Government-funded Research Institutions are expected as follow-up measures to the removal of public institution designation.” He further stated, “There is a need to actively consider enacting a separate law to promote challenging research and development.”
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