Lee Jun-seok, the presidential candidate of the Reform Party, said on the 7th, "Some decision-makers must not reduce the research and development (R&D) budget, causing harm to junior researchers." He noted, "I will establish a separate department to prevent the Ministry of Economy and Finance from tampering with the R&D budget."
This is interpreted as targeting the prevailing neglect of science and technology, as R&D budgets have sharply declined under the Yoon Suk-yeol government.
On the same day, the candidate visited the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in the Yuseong District of Daejeon, stating, "Currently, our country's R&D strategy only supports projects with a success rate of over 90%. We need to change this decision-making system."
The candidate addressed the issue of scientific talent drain, saying, "Research that can be conducted in Silicon Valley should be possible to do entirely in Pangyo." He added, "I aim to eliminate regulations so that researchers can conduct free research." He further stated, "It's important to present possibilities that can enhance expected income, rather than simply forcing researchers to dedicate themselves to the state."
The candidate also said, "I will ensure that researchers can freely change jobs to increase their income," and insisted, "The current system that treats those who change jobs as industrial spies needs improvement." He further stated, "I will support science and engineering students to have confidence in their fields of study, and we should not allow rapid changes, like in the nuclear field during the Moon Jae-in administration, that lead to the collapse of entire industries."
On the same day, the candidate announced a pledge to introduce the 'national science hero preference system.' The plan includes providing a lump-sum reward of up to 500 million won and a monthly pension of up to 5 million won to winners of prestigious awards such as the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Fields Medal, and Breakthrough Prize (awarded by industry leaders in Silicon Valley for scholars who have contributed to scientific advancement), as well as recipients of domestic science and technology medals.
The candidate recently commented on a post by former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo on Facebook, noting, "Would the misfortunes caused in the party by former President Yoon Suk-yeol be just one or two?" He added, "The People Power Party must quickly break free from the specter of (former President Yoon) to develop Korean politics."
Earlier, former Mayor Hong explained on his Facebook account, "Yoon Suk-yeol is ruining the country and now he is ruining the party," adding, "The country is bruised and the party is bruised due to a poorly recruited mercenary." His remarks suggested that the leadership of the People Power Party and Yongsan had conspired to elevate former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as a presidential candidate.