The Korean Academy of Science and Technology, a group of distinguished scholars in the science and technology sector, and the Korean Next Generation Science and Technology Academy, an assembly of young scientists, requested policies that prioritize bold talent influx and cultivation policies, as well as a research and development investment strategy focused on challenges and balance, just two weeks before the presidential election.
On the 19th, the two organizations published a proposal titled "Suggestions for the Future of South Korea and Science and Technology," outlining their vision and policies for science and technology that they hope will be adopted by the next administration.
The proposal is divided into the first 100 days, throughout the presidential term, and a 30-year goal, presenting five visions and tasks for each goal based on three key themes: talent, ecosystem, and transformation.
What the two representative organizations in the science and technology field emphasized most was the talent influx and cultivation policy. The proposal called for policies to prevent brain drain and to avoid career interruptions for women in science and technology. It also highlighted the need for a system to leverage high-experienced scientists for retired scholars.
There was also a suggestion to change the government's research and development paradigm from "selection and concentration" to "challenges and balance." The argument is that the activation of researcher-led basic research proposal projects should enhance the diversity of research topics and methods.
Voices were raised for strengthening the capabilities of basic science and source technology research. The proposal pointed out, "Basic science and source technology research are difficult to develop in an atmosphere that demands short-term results," and stated, "We need to establish and operate a predictable and sustainable support system for researchers who challenge in-depth exploration with long-term visions."
Jeong Jin-ho, president of The Korean Academy of Science and Technology, noted, "Rather than specific investment and strategy proposals for certain fields or concrete system improvements, we wanted to present a direction looking towards the next 30 years." He added, "Especially now, as the Korean science and technology sector is experiencing the triple hardship of declining school-age population, concentration on medical schools, and a crisis of researcher attrition, I hope the next president and government will devise and design a policy that values 'scientific and technological talent' above all else."