[Reviving the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology] "Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting Was More Influential Than the Cabinet"

[Great Transformation of Korea] Reestablishing the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology
Testimony from Chung Yoon, President of Cheongwoon University, Who Worked with the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology
"It Is Even More Urgent Now to Introduce the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology"

Chung Yoon, president of Cheongwoon University, is being interviewed by Asia Economy. Photo by Cheongwoon University

"In the past, the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology played a powerful coordinating role, moving across different ministries. Now, in an even more complex global environment and the era of artificial intelligence (AI), we need a strong control tower that can facilitate inter-ministerial cooperation."

Chung Yoon, president of Cheongwoon University, who served as vice minister at the Ministry of Science and Technology during the participatory government when the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology system existed, emphasized that the need for a robust science and technology control tower spanning all ministries is growing. He pointed out that this is essential for South Korea to overcome the crisis of falling behind in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and AI.

The Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology system, which was introduced in 2004 and operated for three years, was abolished with the launch of the Lee Myung-bak administration. Since then, there have been calls for its reintroduction every time a new administration comes in, but it has not materialized.

Chung argued, "It has been 17 years since the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology system was abolished, but it is even more necessary now than it was then." He explained that efficiently utilizing limited national resources requires expertise in budget allocation, and leadership that can drive inter-ministerial cooperation is crucial.

Chung emphasized, "Science and technology is a policy of excellence, a policy of competition, and is about striving to be number one in the world. Having a deputy prime minister system is a much more advantageous structure for enhancing the nation's future and our competitiveness."

The following is a Q&A with President Chung Yoon.

- Why do you think the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology system is necessary?

△Among the many responsibilities of the state, ensuring that citizens live safely, healthily, and happily is the most important. Science and technology are complex and span multiple ministries. In a national system that can efficiently operate limited resources, the deputy prime minister can play this role. To strategically design the country's future growth engines, the deputy prime minister system is essential.

- During your term as vice minister, what changes occurred under the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology system?

△At that time, there was a strong line connecting the science and technology advisor at the presidential office, the head of the innovation headquarters, and the deputy prime minister. There was a science and technology ministers' meeting centered on the deputy prime minister, and it was run very well. There were even media reports saying that the attendance rate at the science and technology ministers' meeting was higher than that at cabinet meetings. That shows how active and driven it was. If we had continued just a bit further, things could have turned out very differently.

- The AI era has arrived rapidly, but there are many claims that it has been difficult to secure budgets for this field due to the strong influence of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

△The Ministry of Economy and Finance must acknowledge that its expertise in science and technology is far inferior to that of the Ministry of Science and Technology. Science and technology are complex and should be entrusted to those who are highly capable. That is why the Science and Technology Innovation Headquarters was established. When the Innovation Headquarters was first established, it was highly envied by OECD countries, as well as the United States and Japan. It is truly regrettable that it was abolished after just three years. At the time, the influence of Deputy Prime Ministers Oh Myung and Kim Woo-sik was significant, but this power should have been institutionalized as organizational competitiveness, not just as personal influence."

- What is the role of the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology in the AI era?

△Recently, all political parties and candidates are pledging to invest heavily in AI. However, I want to ask what kind of industries they are trying to create by investing in AI, and specifically, what they are investing in. It is important to integrate AI into existing industries. To plan this properly, experts need to gather and analyze, and the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology should coordinate. In particular, I believe that the "cross-ministerial coordination function" is the key to resolving the current fragmented budget structure and the problem of overlapping policies.

- If the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology system is reintroduced, what kind of person would be suitable for the position?

△It should be someone who can thoroughly analyze global trends and our national capabilities, and who can set priorities and focus on what matters most. The person must be able to listen to others and make sound judgments. Now, we need someone with both expertise and diversity, someone who fits the era of globalization.

- What is the biggest challenge in South Korea's current science and technology policy?

△Science and technology is a policy of excellence, a policy of competition, and is about striving to be number one in the world. While we cannot be the best in every field, there is potential for us to be the best in science and technology. The deputy prime minister system should become the framework for driving such a national strategy.

- After retiring as vice minister, you have focused on nurturing future talent at high schools and universities. What are your thoughts on talent development?

△Korea's competitiveness lies in the competitiveness of its people. There are two things for which Korea is recognized worldwide: one is global companies like Samsung and Hyundai, and the other is culture, such as K-dramas and K-pop. Now, we must teach not just knowledge, but wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to create value for good through the fusion of knowledge. Science and humanities students should learn from each other and possess both creativity and insight. I always tell students, 'If you speak English as fluently as Korean, you will have three times as many opportunities.' You must seek opportunities on the global stage.

▲Profile of Chung Yoon, President of Cheongwoon University: Former Vice Minister of Science and Technology, Former Chairman of the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity, Former Principal of the Korea Science Academy of KAIST

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