Samsung Electronics Advisor's Candid Critique: "Korea Is Not Attractive to Science and Technology Professionals" (Comprehensive)

Kyung Kyehyun, Former Samsung Semiconductor President, Makes First Public Appearance After Stepping Down
Attends Inaugural Meeting of Talent Outflow Prevention Task Force
"Potential Growth Rate in Korea Could Drop to 0% by 2040"
"Productivi

Kyung Kyehyun, former President of Samsung Electronics Semiconductor Division, made his first official public appearance after stepping down, offering a candid critique by stating, "Korea is not attractive to science and technology professionals."

Kyung Kyehyun, former President of Samsung Electronics Semiconductor Division, is speaking at the Science and Technology Talent Retention Task Force held at Gwanghwamun Science Advisory Committee on the 12th. Photo by Baek Jongmin Tech Specialist

On August 12 in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Kyung attended the inaugural meeting of the Public-Private Task Force for Preventing and Attracting Science and Technology Talent as the civilian co-chair. He remarked, "There are projections that Korea’s potential growth rate could drop to 0% by 2040," and added, "With both labor and capital investment slowing, improving productivity through innovation is the only solution."

Kyung emphasized, "Ultimately, people are at the heart of innovation," highlighting the seriousness of the outflow of young science and technology talent. He pointed out that many young Koreans are flocking to certain professions such as medicine, while science and technology professionals nurtured in Korea are heading overseas and not returning. He identified the prevailing assessment that Korea is not attractive to science and technology professionals as the main reason. He contrasted the situation by noting that doctors in Korea enjoy legal status, social respect, and stable income, whereas science and technology professionals lack these advantages. In contrast, overseas environments offer appealing factors such as freedom, diversity, and ease of job mobility. Kyung stated, "While companies can devise various approaches, ultimately, the government and the private sector must develop strategies they can implement together."

Gu Hyukchae, First Vice Minister of Science and ICT and government co-chair, also commented, "Even at this very moment, there are talented individuals considering job offers from foreign universities, companies, and research institutes," adding, "Today’s meeting must serve as a starting point that gives both domestic and international talent pursuing STEM careers confidence in Korea’s future." He further stated, "All ministries must unite as one team and mobilize every possible resource the government can use," and added, "The Ministry of Science and ICT will work closely with civilian members to develop highly effective measures."

On this day, the Ministry of Science and ICT held the first meeting of the public-private task force at the Gwanghwamun Science Advisory Committee to develop measures to prevent the outflow and attract science and technology talent. This meeting marked the first joint effort by the public and private sectors to address the outflow of STEM talent to Silicon Valley in the United States, where starting salaries can reach $400,000 in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). The task force is co-chaired by First Vice Minister Gu Hyukchae and former President Kyung Kyehyun. It is reported that Kyung readily accepted the ministry’s request to serve as co-chair.

The task force includes senior officials from nine ministries-such as the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the Korean Intellectual Property Office-as well as 23 experts from organizations including the Science and Technology Advisory Committee, the Special Committee on Future Talent, and the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to develop concrete action plans through the task force by September and implement them as the new administration’s "first talent policy."