- Aiming for national S&T sovereignty and global leadership in 12 Critical and Emerging Technologies (CETs), with plans to expand current leading positions from 3 areas to 6
- Investing over KRW 30 trillion over the next five years in 12 CETs ― such as AI, semiconductors, advanced biotechnology, and quantum technologies ― with flagship projects to support rapid commercialization
- Significantly enhancing technological security capabilities through robust strategic technology partnerships with like-minded countries and capturing the golden time for emerging technologies
The Ministry of Science and ICT (“MSIT”; Minister Yoo Sang-Im) announced the First Master Plan for Developing Critical and Emerging Technologies (2024-2028): A Blueprint for National S&T Sovereignty on August 26 (Monday) at the Deliberative Council Meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology (PACST).
In 2022, during the Plenary Council of PACST chaired by President Yoon Suk Yeol, the Korean government identified 12 CETs* and 50 key technologies crucial for securing supply chains, emerging industries, foreign affairs, and national security. The government has since concentrated its R&D investments and policy support on these technologies.
* The 12 CETs are ① Semiconductor and display, ② secondary cell, ③ advanced mobility, ④ next-gen nuclear power, ⑤ advanced biotechnology, ⑥ aerospace and marine technology, ⑦ hydrogen, ⑧ cyber security, ⑨ AI, ⑩ next-gen communications, ⑪ advanced robotics and manufacturing, ⑫ quantum technology.
The First Master Plan ― a five-year strategy outlining the mid- to long-term outlook and policy direction for the development of 12 CETs ― is the culmination of comprehensive efforts across the government. Developed collaboratively by 22 government ministries, offices, and agencies in accordance with Article 5 of the Special Act on the Fostering of Critical and Emerging Technologies, this plan represents a unified approach to advancing national technological capabilities.
Named the Blueprint for National S&T Sovereignty, the plan focuses on three major policy tasks designed to propel and leapfrog the country beyond mere national survival. It also details key policy directions for each of the 12 CETs, aiming to position Korea at the forefront of global technological competition and enhance national capabilities.
The main components of the First Master Plan are as follows:
As the OECD pointed out that there is a growing “securitization of STI policy,” the competition for technological dominance has become a new normal in the global arena of science and technology. In particular, the formation of technology blocs is growing and strengthening among like-minded countries focusing on critical and emerging technologies such as semiconductors, AI, and advanced biotechnology. Concurrently, the quest for science and technology sovereignty, grounded in world-leading technological capabilities, is increasingly viewed as essential for driving national growth.
With the enactment of the Special Act on the Fostering of Critical and Emerging Technologies and the establishment of the First Master Plan, the government has laid out a national innovation strategy centered around CETs. This is expected to contribute to Korea securing next-generation technologies and enable the country to advance through private sector-led technological innovation. The focus is on incorporating a wide range of poilcy mix, including not only government research and development but also the promotion of technology commercialization, strengthening international cooperation, strategic investment in mission-oriented projects, performance management, and public-private collaboration.
The masterplan sets forth three main objectives under the vision of "A Nation of Science and Technology Sovereignty, Armed with Unrivaled 'Super-Gap' Technology": i) comprehensive support for the swift commercialization of the CETs, ii) significant enhancement of proactive measures for technology security, and iii) innovation in mission-oriented research and development.
| [Task 1 – Future growth engines] Concentrated support for swift commercialization of the CETs |
➊ (Expanding R&D linked to commercialization) R&D in the 12 CETs will receive more than KRW 30 trillion in support over the next five years, centered primarily on private demand. Investment in the three 'game-changer' fields will be significantly increased. To achieve tangible results, 10 CET projects with a cumulative value of KRW 3 trillion (based on preliminary feasibility studies) will be actively pursued. Additionally, the Ministry will identify new Flagship 2.0 projects in key R&D areas that lack sufficient research, such as advanced robotics, manufacturing and hydrogen.
* For the three key game-changer fields, support will be increased to KRW 3.4 trillion in 2025 from KRW 2.8 trillion in 2024 (24% y-o-y growth, data from the PACST draft plan)
As for R&D support for small and medium-sized enterprises, over 50% of new project funding will be allocated to key areas within the 12 CETs. There will also be a focus on strengthening public-private partnerships to foster the growth of highly advanced, strategic technology-based startups, along with providing funding support through the fund of funds.
➋ (Blockbuster Innovation Groups & Support for demonstrations) In accordance with the Special Act on the CETs, the Ministry will focus on identifying and supporting the BIG 100: Blockbuster Innovation Groups. Specialized research institutes will be established to lead mission-oriented research and commercialization of CETs, along with specialized training institutions to nurture innovative talent. Additionally, regional technology innovation centers will be developed in connection with balanced regional development efforts. To quickly transfer research outcomes in the CET areas, support will also be provided for the advancement of leading universities and corporate research institutes.
➌ (Improving Business-Friendly Policies for the CETs) Following this year's introduction of the "super-gap special listing procedure" for qualified companies officially recognized for possessing specific CET-related technologies, the government will expand growth support measures. This includes enhanced policy financing from relevant ministries and increased public procurement of innovative products. Multiple ministries will collaborate to enhance policies that are tangible and beneficial for businesses. This includes providing tax benefits and patent acquisition support for CET-related companies, as well as implementing proactive regulatory innovations for promising strategic technologies in a phased manner.
➍ (Customized Talent Development) Recognizing that talent is a valuable asset for industries, Korea will strengthen talent development programs, including specialized graduate schools in the CET fields and initiatives to enhance the skills of current employees. Data-driven talent policies will be implemented, utilizing workforce maps and job posting data to analyze job positions, as well as integrating researcher information with employment databases. Efforts will be intensified to make Korea a "melting pot" for global expertise by attracting top international talent and implementing measures to prevent the outflow of exceptional domestic talent.
| [Task 2 – Technological Security Powerhouse] Significantly bolster proactive response capabilities in technological security |
➊ (Robust strategic technology cooperation with like-minded countries) Strengthen cooperation with like-minded partners such as the U.S., Japan, and the EU in all aspects of research, legislation, and security to solidify technological security. Actively respond to the formation of technology blocs through mechanisms such as the Dialogue on CETs and the AI Summit, and advance Korea-led agendas and norms in international organizations and other science and technology arenas.
In addition, based on the data analysis provided by the Global R&D Strategy Map, tailored cooperation strategies will be developed, taking into account the technological advantages of each partner country, the types of cooperation needed for key technologies, and the list of partner organizations. The Ministry will select and support international collaborative R&D projects in CETs that require significant investments.
➋ (Securing the golden opportunity for CETs) Korea will rapidly embark on an initiative to quickly identify, support, and secure strategic technologies that will be pivotal in the global tech race. Through inter-agency information sharing and AI modeling, an early analysis and forecasting system tailored to future technology supply chains will be established. This system will be utilized for assessing emerging technologies and predicting key countries' policies. To support rapid research and development, the Ministry will abolish the preliminary feasibility study system for R&D budgets, reduce the time required for deploying research equipment, and introduce greater flexibility for international R&D. At the same time, the Ministry will focus on securing cutting-edge future materials that support the CET initiatives.
The CET support mechanism will be periodically updated in response to changes in the global race for technological dominance. Similar to the U.S. White House’s CET system*, Korea's CETs will be updated every two years based on data and public-private demand, following deliberations from the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology (PACST).
* (Example: U.S.' Critical and emerging technologies) Since the announcement of the National Strategy for Critical and Emerging Technologies in October 2020, the U.S. has updated the CET list twice. As of February 2024, the list now includes 122 technologies across 18 areas, from 103 technologies in 19 areas.
➌ (Strengthening technology protection and research security) In preparation for intensifying global competition for technological dominance, support for security management in research environments will be enhanced. Guidelines for strategic technology protection will be established for researchers, and research security systems will be strengthened to address data requests from foreign institutions and overseas research funding.
➍ (Investment and cooperation in dual-use technologies) Research and development for the selected 10 strategic defense technologies, structured around the 12 CETs, will receive concentrated support. In particular, cooperation between military and civilian research (spin-on/off) will be continuously strengthened to facilitate the rapid integration of strategic civilian technologies into defense systems and to leverage the outcomes of defense R&D.
| [Task 3 – Mission-oriented innovation] Establish a mission-centric R&D system to produce visible outcomes |
➊ (Concentrated support for mission-oriented R&D) Projects directly linked to securing leading-edge technologies and maintaining competitiveness will be designated as Mission-Oriented Visionary Projects (MVPs) under the Special Act and will receive intensified support. These designated projects will benefit from broad support measures based on the Special Act on the CETs, including budget utilization, project agency designation, and alleviating corporate burdens. The Ministry plans to introduce the National Science & Technology Lab (NSTL), an open collaboration system designed to break down barriers between different research institutions. This initiative will be implemented starting this year, alongside the expansion of the designated Global Top Strategic Research Groups.
* Mission-Oriented Visionary Projects (MVPs): Projects that are directly related to fostering CETs, which will receive mission-centric support and management.
➋ (Integrated performance management) A performance management system will be established to outline the key missions and timelines for achieving goals, based on the implementation plans developed by the relevant ministries* for each CET sector after delieration by the PACST. This system will conduct a comprehensive review that encompasses not only technology development and key project performance, but also talent development, international collaboration, and the need for institutional improvements to foster a thriving ecosystem. The results of this review will be linked to investments and evaluations. Additionally, the national R&D analysis and future projection systems will be integrated with the 12 CET sectors to improve the status, outcomes, and evidence-based policy development.
* Mission-oriented, Strategic Roadmap for the Critical and Emerging Technologies (2023.8-2024.2, Special Committee on the CETs under the PACST)
➌ (Online platform for joint innovation through industry-academia-research institutes-government collaboration) Establish a coordination and collaboration system between high-level policy bodies (for the three game changer areas, space, etc.) such as the National Artificial Intelligence Committee and the Quantum Strategy Committee, and the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology. This includes operating a policy collaboration system between industry, academia, and research institutes, including launching a CETs Innovation Forum to gather public views on advancing the technologies. In addition, efforts will be made to establish a K-Technology security think tank to lead discussions on issues related to the 12 CETs on the global stage.
| 12 CETs: Key Support Strategies by field |
The MSIT will provide tailored support for the 12 CETs-based on domestic technology advancement levels, categorizing them into leading fields, follow-up and competitive fields, and pioneering future fields.
▲ (Leading fields) In leading fields directly related to Korea's flagship industries, such as semiconductors and secondary cell, the focus will be on achieving top global technological leadership and maintaining a strong position in the international supply chain. To enhance technological superiority over competitor countries, the Ministry will support large-scale R&D initiatives conducted jointly by the public and private sectors. In response to increasing global regionalization, a proactive response system will be established that integrates diplomacy and security. Additionally, recognizing the importance of supply chain stabilization, the Ministry will provide strategic support for the domestic development of critical and emerging materials.
▲ (Catch-up & competitive fields) Korea is striving for global leadership in this category of fields such as AI, advanced biotechnology, and next-generation nuclear power. Efforts will will focus on accelerating the early commercialization of CETs supported by a robust research ecosystem. Given the close connection of these areas to digital and AI transformation, support will be provided to expand research infrastructure, including AI computing resources. Additionally, we will strengthen industrial linkage projects that act as a catalyst for the commercialization of foundational deep-tech technologies based on CETs.
▲ (Pioneering future fields) Korea aim for a "technology leap-frogging" in fields such as quantum technology, aerospace, marine, and hydrogen. The focus is on the public-sector-led innovative and frontier research projects and the formation of a "Blockbuster Innovation Group" which are expected to help quickly bridge the technology gap with leading countries. Given the high significance of these fields in international STI policies ― particularly in terms of diplomacy, security, and carbon neutrality ― the goal is to strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries and active engagement in multilateral cooperation mechanisms to secure technological sovereignty.
Through these efforts, Korea aims to expand its world-leading technological capacities in the 12 CETs, from the current 3 leading areas to 6, and produce 15 new unicorn companies based on the CETs to drive the country's future growth.
In particular, the government has set a goal to maintain Korea's top position in technology competitiveness within its flagship industries―memory chips, secondary cell, and next-generation displays. Additionally, Korea is striving to propel itself into the top three global leaders (G3) in three transformative technological fields: AI chips, advanced biotechnology, and quantum technologies.
Minister Yoo Sang-Im said, "To gain a significant lead in the global market, it is essential for Korea to secure its scientific and technological sovereignty through the advancement of the 12 CETs." He added, "In line with the name 'A Blueprint for National S&T Sovereignty,' my Ministry will collaborate with other government ministries, academia, industry, and research institutes to diligently implement the policy tasks outlined in the First Master Plan for Developing Critical and Emerging Technologies. This initiative will not only enable Korea to stay relevant in the global tech race but also allow a pivotal step forward in securing future growth engines and technological security capabilities."
For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Please refer to the attached PDF.