"I Was Lucky to Return to Korea Last Year"... Bold Support Shakes the Heart of a 'New York Mom' [Reportage]

Scene from the "Korea-US Research Exchange and Cooperation Meeting" in New York
100 Researchers Gave Up Their Weekend Evening to Attend
"I Didn't Know Korea Offered So Much Support"
Government, Academia, and Research Officials: "Doing Our Best to

Mina Kang, who is conducting postdoctoral research at the City University of New York, is being interviewed by The Asia Business Daily at the Korea-US Research Exchange Cooperation Meeting held in Manhattan, New York, on the 14th (local time). Kang attended the event with her first-grade elementary school child to directly observe the Korean government's support policies for science and engineering researchers. Photo by Paek Jongmin, Tech Specialist

At 5 p.m. on the 14th (local time), Mina Kang, a postdoctoral researcher at the City University of New York, arrived at the InterContinental Hotel in Manhattan with her child. She was there to attend the "Korea-US Research Exchange and Cooperation Meeting." Kang, accompanied by her first-grade elementary school child, listened attentively to the remarks of science administrators from Korea, trying to keep her child occupied throughout the event.

Kang, who earned her Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science and Engineering from Ewha Womans University, said she has been in the United States for about a year and a half, conducting research while living with her child. Her husband has not been able to enter the United States and remains in Korea due to personal circumstances.

Kang's situation changed dramatically when Donald Trump was elected President of the United States in November last year and inaugurated in January. Although her field of expertise is closely related to climate change, President Trump has disregarded climate change initiatives. Moreover, obtaining an H-1B visa for long-term stay by foreign professional researchers has become increasingly difficult. Kang's plans to secure a stable position in the United States have become uncertain.

Kang said, "I never expected this situation when I came to the United States. If Korea actively supports research, I should consider returning to continue my work." This is why, despite her restless child, she stayed until the end of the event.

In addition to Kang, many Ph.D.-level science and engineering talents from Korea or among the local Korean community gathered at the venue. Unlike office workers leaving Manhattan to enjoy their weekend, these "postdocs" gave up their Friday evening to seek a "ray of hope" amid uncertain circumstances. Postdocs are researchers who work temporarily at universities or research institutes after earning their doctorate to continue their research, most often entering the U.S. as visiting scholars on J visas.

Korea Offers Hope: Over 100 Researchers Fill Every Table Without a Single Empty Seat

On the 14th, the venue for the "Korea-US Research Exchange Cooperation Meeting" held in New York, USA, was so crowded that no empty seats could be found. Photo by Paek Jongmin, Tech Specialist

The sense of urgency was palpable among the attendees. President Trump's sudden hike in H-1B employment visa fees for professionals came as a shock. To obtain this visa, employers must pay up to 100 million won (approximately 75,000 USD). On top of that, President Trump has delivered a major blow by cutting research and development (R&D) budgets. Postdoctoral researchers who had planned to continue their work in the United States now face the dual challenges of unstable visa status and lack of research funding. Housing insecurity is another concern. One researcher explained, "There's a sentiment that we should avoid even short visits to Korea," due to fears of potential reentry issues into the United States.

Even after the two-hour presentation on support plans from government-funded research institutes and science and technology institutes under the Ministry of Science and ICT, only a handful of people left early. At each table, Korean officials such as Park Inkyu, Director General of Innovation at the Ministry of Science and ICT, Kim Youngsik, Chairman of the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST), and Oh Sangrok, President of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), engaged with students over dinner, listening carefully to their questions and needs.

Most attendees said they had learned about the event through Korean student communities or researcher networks. The Ministry of Science and ICT recently announced at the "National Report to Dream Again of Becoming a Scientist and Engineer" attended by President Lee Jaemyung that Korea aims to attract 2,000 outstanding overseas talents over the next five years by 2030.

The Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity has been introducing Korea's research support plans to students across the United States since October to support this initiative. Jung Woosung, Chairman of the Foundation, said, "At last month's meeting in Boston, more than 200 people from universities and research institutes in the Boston area, including MIT, participated." One attendee recalled, "There was even a rumor that all MIT students had gathered at that event." The New York event was also fully booked.

Kang Sunghoon, a professor at KAIST who attended the event, shared his experience, saying, "I was lucky to return to Korea last year." Professor Kang moved from Johns Hopkins University in the United States to the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at KAIST last year. He decided to return after receiving conditions that included high-end laboratory equipment, housing support, and even permission to hold a concurrent position for a year.

Professor Kang Sung-hoon of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at KAIST is talking with a participant at the Korea-US Research Exchange Cooperation Meeting held in New York on the 14th. Professor Kang transferred from Johns Hopkins University in the United States to KAIST last year. Photo by Paek Jongmin, Tech Specialist

"It's No Longer a Lack of Funding That Hinders Research" ... "Improving Opportunities for Foreign Researchers' Spouses to Work in Korea"

Government, academic, and research officials from Korea responded enthusiastically. Jung Woosung, Chairman of the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity, said, "Based on suggestions collected at previous meetings, we have proposed institutional reforms so that, like in the United States, foreign researchers' spouses can also work in Korea, and the government is currently reviewing this."

Oh, President of KIST, drew attention by stating, "At KIST, the research funding per person is about 400 million won (approximately 300,000 USD). The lack of research funds is no longer a barrier to conducting research." He also introduced KIST's shift to a mission-oriented research system, strengthening global cooperation, and the establishment of a technology commercialization company. Kim, Chairman of NST, added, "Government-funded research institutes will actively support returning researchers by providing a conducive research environment."

Jung Woosung, Chairman of the Science Creativity Foundation, is explaining the Korean government's support policy for the return of science and engineering researchers at the Korea-US Research Exchange Cooperation Meeting held in New York on the 14th. Photo by Paek Jongmin, Tech Specialist

The Korea Health Industry Development Institute surprised attendees by announcing plans to provide annual support of 600 million won (approximately 450,000 USD) per person for the top-tier global talent recruitment program in the bio sector, starting next year.

One attendee commented, "Under the Trump administration, many researchers have struggled as their research funding disappeared overnight. If Korea provides this level of support, returning to Korea to continue research is worth considering."

The presenters at the meeting also tried to build rapport with researchers by sharing their own experiences in New York. Jung, Chairman of the Foundation, said, "When I was studying abroad, I also came to New York and enjoyed Korean food." Park Inkyu, Director General of Innovation at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "The current situation in the United States reminds me of my own experience after the IMF crisis, when my career prospects after studying abroad were severely affected." Oh, President of KIST, added, "Although I completed my degree in Korea, I also worked as a visiting researcher at the IBM Watson Research Center in New York," underscoring his active engagement with the audience.

Researchers asked a flurry of questions, such as, "Do I have to reside in Korea to receive support?" "Through which platforms can I participate in international collaborative research?" and "Is it possible to continue cooperating with Korea while remaining in the United States?"

One official said, "American researchers also welcome the Korean government's interest, and at future events, we will actively inform foreign researchers about Korea's research support policies."

Chairman Jung promised, "We will continue to keep in touch and provide full support for those considering a move to Korea."

"Traveling Across the US to Secure Science and Engineering Talent"

Following the New York event, the Korea-US Research Exchange Cooperation Meeting moved on to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh on the 15th and Georgia Tech in Atlanta on the 17th, focusing on promoting Korea's research policies. In December, the tour will expand to Chicago, Silicon Valley, New York, and Austin, Texas. In particular, recruitment and technology cooperation IR events for Korean companies will also be held in Silicon Valley and Austin.

After the New York event on the 14th, officials began traveling at 6 a.m. the next day to prepare for the meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Director General Park Inkyu said, "Although the schedule is tough, we will do our best to promote Korea's research support policies and secure talent."