[Reading Science] Time to Refocus on Global R&D

"A budget that shows no effect and whose purpose is unknown must be completely reexamined from zero base." This one statement by President Yoon Suk-yeol on June 28, 2023, shook the science and technology community to its core.

Since then, the government’s science and technology research and development (R&D) budget, which was 31.1 trillion won in 2023, shrank drastically by 5.2 trillion won to 26.05 trillion won in 2024. (Based on materials from the Ministry of Science and ICT-hosted joint briefing session for government R&D projects by ministries)

In response, the science and technology sector strongly protested, demanding "the cessation of actions that destroy research sites, restoration of the cut budget, and an apology from the government for labeling them as an immoral cartel."

The problem is that as the issue became mired in budget cuts and the scientific community’s backlash, an important agenda was buried along with it: 'Global R&D.' In November 2022, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the 'Global R&D Promotion Strategy' and established the 'Global R&D Special Committee' under the National Science and Technology Advisory Council, actively promoting international cooperation in science and technology.

Examples include the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in April 2023 between the Korea Institute of Life Science and the U.S. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to strengthen advanced bio capabilities, and the MOU in November 2023 between the Korea Brain Research Institute and the UK Dementia Platform UK (DPUK).

Although the overall R&D budget was significantly cut in 2024 compared to the previous year, the Ministry of Science and ICT made 'promoting open innovation through global solidarity' one of its key investment areas, increasing the global R&D budget by 258% from 0.5 trillion won in 2023 to 1.8 trillion won in 2024.

However, President Yoon’s remarks dampened the science and technology community, and international cooperation projects through global R&D were also neglected. There were even sarcastic comments such as, "We might become a servant blindly handing out research funds to the international community." To change this atmosphere, the Ministry of Science and ICT has issued more than ten press releases emphasizing global R&D since last year, but it was insufficient to regain public interest.

On the 13th, Ryu Kwang-jun, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said at a press briefing, "It seems that these efforts were largely overshadowed by the 2024 budget restructuring," and explained, "The biggest reason for promoting global R&D is not to copy research done by others but to pursue world-first and world-best research. The main purpose is to collaborate with leading research groups overseas in each field, gain experience through that, and advance research."

Neither despairing with "We are already too late" nor stubbornly insisting "I will do everything alone" is the answer. Due to the diversification, gigantism, and convergence trends in science and technology and the shortening of the science and technology lifecycle, the cost and risk of R&D investment have become too great for any single country to bear alone. Moreover, global environmental issues are inherently cross-border problems, making international joint efforts essential.

While the government R&D budget increased to 29.6 trillion won this year, it is also meaningful that Korea became the first Asian country to participate in the European Union’s (EU) 'Horizon Europe,' the world’s largest multilateral research and innovation program, which supports 95.5 billion euros (about 140 trillion won) from 2021 to 2027. We hope that the international status of K-science and technology will rise and its global contributions will grow.