Minister of Science and ICT Holds Briefing on the 11th
Aims for Stable Operation of Global R&D
Pursuing Talent Acquisition... Domestic Demand Under Investigation
Minister Yoo Sang-im of the Ministry of Science and ICT will soon visit the United States to meet with officials from the second Trump administration and work on attracting domestic talent.
At the 'February Major Achievements and March Plans' briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the 11th, Minister Yoo stated, "I will soon visit the United States to meet with senior officials in science, technology, and digital fields."
Minister Yoo mentioned the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the National Science Foundation (NSF), saying, "During the Biden administration, I met with personnel from these three departments, but now that the administration has changed, only one remains."
He added, "It is necessary to meet with those responsible for science, technology, and information and communications at the White House," and said, "We need to secure commitments to carry out the ongoing global research and development (R&D) projects more steadily, one by one."
The Ministry of Science and ICT is promoting the 'Boston Korea Joint Research Support Project' in the advanced bio sector and the 'Global AI Frontier Lab' in collaboration with New York University as part of its global R&D efforts.
Minister Yoo said, "There are many fields where the United States needs us as a partner, so it is necessary to expand exchanges," and added, "As Chinese scientists return to their home country, the U.S. is beginning to face talent shortages and is employing many Koreans."
Furthermore, Minister Yoo plans to seek solutions in the U.S. to address South Korea's talent shortage problem.
He stated, "World-class talents are mainly concentrated in the United States," and said, "I will contact them and send a talent return signal by telling them, 'The Republic of Korea needs you.'" He also mentioned that Korean researchers working at big tech companies such as Google and Nvidia will be targeted for this 'return' inducement.
Minister Yoo said, "We are currently investigating how much high-level talent is needed, including in government-funded research institutes and universities," and added, "We are discussing comprehensive measures to prevent domestic talent from leaving."
Regarding the timing of Minister Yoo's visit to the U.S., Koo Hyuk-chae, Director General of Planning and Coordination at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "Considering the U.S. ministerial confirmation process, it will likely be around the end of March," and added, "Preparations are ongoing, and once the procedures proceed, the visit will be carried out immediately."
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