The Democratic Party's Future Economic Growth Strategy Committee visited the DAEDUCK Research and Development Special Zone in Daejeon to discuss national research and development (R&D) support measures. The plan is to support demonstration projects to commercialize technologies developed through government-funded research institutes.
The Democratic Party's Economic Growth Strategy Committee and the Special Committee on Science and Technology Innovation discussed the current status of science and technology and industrial policy support measures on the 15th at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.
Lee Eun-joo, the chair of the Economic Growth Strategy Committee, met with Lee Kwang-hyung, president of KAIST, and said, "We need to cultivate strategic industries and find new economic growth drivers through science and technology innovation, but higher education is currently failing to supply sufficient human resources," adding, "We will review policies for nurturing innovative talents from an economic growth perspective."
During the visit to the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, they discussed issues related to R&D budget allocation and ways to link academia and industry for economic growth. At the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, they discussed ▲ next-generation non-water reactor development ▲ securing stability for power planning ▲ and supporting the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) with officials from Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and Korea Electric Power Corporation.
Lee emphasized, "There are hurdles in commercializing results from R&D, and it is important for the state to play a role in ensuring that the outputs of research and development can be commercialized." He also said, "In the field of next-generation nuclear energy technology, we must act quickly to secure fundamental technologies."
Hwang Jeong-a, chair of the Special Committee on Science and Technology Innovation, said, "Whether it is support needed for cultivating people or legislation, budget, and policies, please let us know, and we will review and follow up well." She added, "We will put in a lot of effort to restore what the Yoon Suk-yeol administration has damaged in the basic science and technology plan."