[Ministry of Science and ICT Work Plan] Full-Scale Promotion of Bio and Quantum Strategies... Strengthening R&D for Promising Technologies

Increase Basic Research Budget to Nearly 3 Trillion Won
Expand Training of Science and Engineering Talents and Cooperation Among Government-funded Institutes
Improve R&D System Including Abolition of Preliminary Feasibility Studies

This year, the joint public-private National Bio Committee and the Quantum Strategy Committee will be launched respectively. The government will support basic research budgets approaching 3 trillion won while promoting research between universities and companies through the 'Global TOP Strategic Research Groups.'

Yoo Sang-im, Minister of Science and ICT, Yonhap News

On the 13th, the Ministry of Science and ICT reported the 2025 work plan containing these details to Prime Minister and Acting President Chosangmok.

First, in the first half of this year, the National Bio Committee, which consolidates public and private capabilities, will be launched, and a strategy to promote bio-technology commercialization will be established. To shift away from the existing repetitive experimental methods, an AI bio-innovation strategy will also be prepared to transform the research paradigm based on artificial intelligence (AI) data.

From this year until 2029, a total of 126.3 billion won will be invested to build a public bio foundry to drive technological innovation in core areas such as bio-manufacturing. Proactive investments will be made in future promising core technologies such as brain science (47.8 billion won) and gene and cell therapy (11.4 billion won).

The joint public-private Quantum Strategy Committee is expected to be launched in the second half of this year. A comprehensive five-year plan will also be prepared to systematically nurture quantum technology and quantum industry.

In addition, efforts will be made to secure leadership in future promising technologies such as ▲development of 1,000-qubit quantum computers ▲large-scale public-private next-generation reactor projects ▲the fourth launch of Nuriho rocket ▲development of low-earth orbit satellite communications ▲commercialization of 6G.

To create a technology commercialization ecosystem where research outcomes lead to commercialization, the 'National R&D Technology Commercialization Strategy' will be jointly established by the government in the first quarter of this year, and a public-private consultative body will also be formed.

Leading R&D investments such as the 12 major national strategic technologies will be expanded to 35% of government R&D by 2027, and the R&D system will be improved to prepare for the future, including the abolition of preliminary feasibility studies.

At the R&D planning stage, an open planning system utilizing academic societies will be applied, and the pool of evaluators, including more than 100 overseas scientists and industry experts, will be expanded to 60,000 to enhance evaluation expertise.

Through the Science and Technology Joint Committee and others, technology security alliances with the new U.S. administration will be strengthened, and by preparing a global R&D 2.0 strategy, the plan is to solidify Korea’s standing on the international stage.

In the basic research field, the largest-ever budget of 2.93 trillion won will be rapidly executed this year. To this end, government-funded research institutes will be fostered as hubs for national strategic technology R&D, and 152 billion won will be invested this year to newly designate 10 Global TOP Strategic Research Groups, expanding openness and exchange among government-funded institutes.

To nurture advanced technology talents, projects such as ▲AI top young researcher support (6 billion won) ▲new research living allowances for graduate students in science and engineering (60 billion won) ▲support for substitute personnel to prevent career breaks among female scientists (8.3 billion won) will be implemented.

In the second half of this year, a strategy to build a region-led science and technology innovation ecosystem will be prepared, and the enactment of the 'Regional Science and Technology Innovation Act' will be pursued.

To promote AI transformation (AX) through regional strategic projects, regional AI leading projects (31.2 billion won) will be carried out, and AX acceleration in regional strategic fields will be promoted centering on AI and software hubs in non-capital areas such as Daegu and Gwangju.

Minister of Science and ICT Yusangim stated, "Through unwavering investment and support for advanced technologies and nurturing science, technology, and digital talents, we will enhance Korea’s growth potential and pioneer the future," adding, "We will mobilize all available resources to fully support the difficult livelihood of the people."