Ha Jungwoo, Chief of AI Future Planning, is giving a briefing on the Special Act on Science and Engineering at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News
Ha Jungwoo, Chief of AI Future Planning at the Presidential Office, stated on the 19th, "We will significantly increase support for nurturing science and technology talent and establish a basic plan for such support."
On this day, Chief Ha held a briefing regarding the submission and approval of the partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on Support for Science and Engineering (Special Act on Science and Engineering Support) at the Cabinet meeting. The amendment includes provisions to improve students' access to mathematics and science, and to ensure that undergraduate and graduate students in science and engineering receive high-quality education. Measures to improve the research environment and treatment of science and engineering researchers are also included.
Chief Ha emphasized, "It is advanced science and technology that forms the foundation of a truly leading Republic of Korea." To this end, he pledged to accelerate the establishment of policies for an innovative science and technology ecosystem, including expanding a stable research and development (R&D) budget, preparing long-term research support programs, supporting the growth of early-career researchers, and transitioning to a researcher-centered open R&D system.
He further explained, "This amendment to the enforcement decree is significant in that it enables the government to swiftly fulfill its promise to the public regarding the nurturing of science and technology talent, and to establish a solid basis for comprehensive support for science and engineering talent throughout all stages, from elementary and secondary students to undergraduates, graduate students, early-career, mid-career, and senior professionals. This will strengthen the state's responsibility for fostering science and engineering talent."
He added, "This will make the science and technology talent development system more effective and will greatly contribute to building a national innovation growth system centered on science and technology."
Meanwhile, regarding his appointment to the Presidential Office, Chief Ha revealed, "When I was first asked, I gave it a lot of thought." Chief Ha previously served as the Head of the AI Innovation Center at Naver, leading AI development in the private sector. Born in 1977, at the age of 48 this year, he drew attention as the youngest first-time senior aide appointed in any previous administration at the time of the announcement.
He commented, "I thought that the next three years, or possibly five years at most, could be a very important golden time in the era of artificial intelligence," and added, "I joined with the belief that if I can fully utilize my experience and capabilities during this golden time to help strengthen our country's AI competitiveness, it would be highly meaningful."
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