Park Hwanil (left), senior research fellow at the Science and Technology Policy Institute in Sejong, is the first Korean to chair the Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). He is shown in February this year at the APEC PPSTI's 25th congress in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. (APEC's official website)

By Lee Dasom

A Korean has been elected to lead the Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI) of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

The Ministry of Science and ICT on Nov. 5 said Park Hwanil, senior research fellow at the Science and Technology Policy Institute in Sejong, was unanimously elected the previous day to head the PPSTI by all 21 APEC member states for a two-year term starting next year.

The PPSTI is a consultative body that promotes policy design and sharing, implementation of joint projects, and partnerships between the public and private sectors to boost and expand scientific and technical capabilities and connections among APEC member economies and regions.

A specialist in sustainable development and international science and technology innovation, Park is an expert on science and technology policy and served as vice chair of the PPSTI for the last five years.

"This election is highly significant for offering Korea the opportunity to play a leading role in setting and pursuing innovation agenda in science and technology within APEC," the ministry said in a news release. "We will strive to proactively lead talks on science and technology in the Gyeongju Declaration and help expand cooperation focused on joint research and the strengthening of human resource capacity in the region."

dlektha0319@korea.kr