Institutional Changes Also Introduced, Including Abolition of Preliminary Feasibility Studies and Expanded Autonomy in Research Funding
The government will invest a total of 35.5 trillion won in research and development (R&D) in 2026. The budget will be concentrated on future growth engine sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, quantum technology, advanced biotechnology, energy, and aerospace, as well as on basic research, talent development, and balanced regional development, with the aim of strengthening the overall research ecosystem.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced that, together with 18 central government agencies, it will hold the "2026 Government R&D Project Joint Ministry Briefing" at the KAIST main auditorium in Daejeon from January 19 to 21. Approximately 30,000 participants, including researchers and experts from industry, academia, and research institutes, are expected to join both online and offline.
In 2026, 33 ministries, agencies, and offices will carry out R&D initiatives. In terms of investment scale, the Ministry of Science and ICT will lead with 11.9119 trillion won, followed by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (5.8396 trillion won), the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (5.4737 trillion won), the Ministry of SMEs and Startups (2.1959 trillion won), the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment (1.5147 trillion won), the Ministry of Education (1.4323 trillion won), and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (1.1194 trillion won). The Korea Aerospace Administration will invest 949.5 billion won to fully launch its aerospace R&D projects.
Institutional Reforms in Parallel... Follow-up to Abolishing Preliminary Feasibility Studies and Gradual Abolition of PBS
On the morning of the first day of the briefing, the Office for Science, Technology and Innovation explained the features of the 2026 R&D budget, as well as institutional reforms such as follow-up measures after the abolition of preliminary feasibility studies, expanded autonomy in research funding, and strengthened sanctions against misuse. In the afternoon, the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korea Aerospace Administration, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport unveiled their major projects and implementation schedules.
On the second day, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and the National Fire Agency will introduce their projects in turn. On the third day, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Rural Development Administration, the Korea Forest Service, and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will present their initiatives sequentially.
Park Inkyu, Head of the Office for Science, Technology and Innovation, stated, "The expanded budget will be intensively invested in technology-driven growth centered on AI, energy, and strategic technologies. We will also pursue the restoration of the basic research ecosystem and promote joint growth with businesses and regions. At the same time, we are implementing institutional reforms such as the gradual abolition of PBS and the abolition of preliminary feasibility studies, reflecting feedback from the research field."
The briefing will be broadcast live on the official website and the Ministry of Science and ICT's YouTube channel. Presentation materials and recorded videos by each ministry will also be made available on the website after the event concludes.
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