The Ministry of Science and ICT on Aug. 26 announced at a meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology investment of KRW 30 trillion over five years in 12 national strategic technologies including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cutting-edge bio and quantum. (iclickart) *[Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution of the above photo is strictly prohibited under copyright laws and regulations.]

By Kim Hyelin

To secure national sovereignty in science and technology, government investment of KRW 30 trillion over the next five years will go to 12 national strategic technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, cutting-edge bio and quantum.

The Ministry of Science and ICT on Aug. 26 announced its blueprint for the goal under the First Basic Plan on Promoting National Strategic Technology at a meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology.

The five-year plan for all ministries has a mid- to long-term vision and policy direction for developing 12 national strategic technologies such as semiconductors, displays, secondary batteries, mobility, next-generation nuclear power, cutting-edge bio, aerospace, AI and quantum.

The main objective is to support swift commercial application of such technologies and boost capacity for preemptive technical security responses.

Over the next five years, the government will invest KRW 30 trillion in research and development (R&D) of the 12 sectors. A combined KRW 3.4 trillion next year will go to three "game-changer" sectors, up from KRW 2.8 trillion this year.

New projects will be developed in key R&D gap industries such as advanced robots, manufacturing, hydrogen and cybersecurity. In R&D for small and medium ventures, over half of new projects will be applied to key sectors including the 12 technologies.

Benefits will go to companies in strategic technologies to this end. A prime example is listing exception for super gaps through the strategic technology confirmation system introduced this year. 

Companies that receive official confirmation on possessing national strategic technology can apply for a special technology listing through just one technology evaluation instead of the previous two. They can also get policy financing and tax benefits from each ministry.

Global cooperation will be expanded with value-sharing countries such as the U.S., Japan and those of the European Union given the blockization of science and technology. The plan is to actively respond to strategic technology blocs such as the Critical and Emerging Technologies Dialogue and AI Summit and promote the spread of Korea-led agenda and criteria in on the science and technology stage such as international organizations.

The ministry said, "Among the 12 national strategic technologies, we will double the number of world-leading technology categories from three -- memory semiconductors, secondary batteries and next-generation displays -- to six by adding AI semiconductors, cutting-edge bio and quantum, plus launch 15 large startups (unicorn-level companies) to lead future growth based on strategic technologies."

kimhyelin211@korea.kr