- Increased by KRW 2.8 trillion (13.1%) compared to the 2025 supplementary budget
- Expanded investment to realize the new government's key policy priorities, including AI transformation, next-generation strategic technologies, robust R&D ecosystem, and balanced growth based on science, technology, and digital innovation
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae Kyunghoon) announced that MSIT’s 2026 budget and fund operation plan were finalized, with the budget set at KRW 23.7417 trillion following approval by the National Assembly on December 2. This amount reflects a KRW 74.6 billion increase from the government’s original proposal.
This marks a KRW 2.7582 trillion increase from the 2025 supplementary budget of KRW 20.9835 trillion. The 2026 budget aims to overcome the country’s low-growth phase and accelerate the transition to an innovation-driven economy through focused investment in four key areas: ❶ a national-scale artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, ❷ fostering next-generation (NEXT) strategic technologies, ❸ building a robust R&D ecosystem, and ❹ promoting balanced growth rooted in science and digital technologies.
MSIT’s four key investment areas for 2026 are as follows:
❶ AI Transformation
A total of KRW 5.1 trillion will be invested to advance the “AI Highway,” develop innovative AI technologies and talent, promote AI adoption and build an AI-ready society, and integrate AI across the full spectrum of R&D activities.
❷ NEXT Strategic Technologies
A total of KRW 5.9 trillion will be allocated to expand investment in core technologies such as semiconductors, advanced biotechnology, and quantum technology, as well as to promote reforms aimed at improving the financial structures of government-funded research institutes.
❸ R&D Ecosystem Development
RW 4.5 trillion will support expanded basic research, the development of national scientists, increased funding for national scholarships and research stipends, and initiatives to attract outstanding global talent.
❹ Balanced Growth
KRW 700 billion will be invested to strengthen region-led R&D, expand public access to hands-on science activities and digital inclusion initiatives, and help close regional digital divides.
The total government R&D budget for 2026 stands as follows:
The overall government R&D budget for 2026 is finalized at KRW 35.5 trillion, an increase of KRW 5.9 trillion (19.9%) from KRW 29.6 trillion in 2025, and KRW 200 billion higher than the original government proposal. This accounts for approximately 4.9% of the government’s total expenditure.
The 2026 national R&D budget focuses on advancing future strategic industries such as artificial intelligence (next-generation AI and physical AI), energy and carbon neutrality (including establishing a national energy backbone centered on renewable energy), strategic technologies (quantum, semiconductors, etc.), and defense R&D.
At the same time, the government will focus investment on restoring the research ecosystem—damaged by previous budget cuts—and steering it toward a more sustainable structure by expanding support for basic research, talent (training and securing top-tier human resources), government-funded institutes (abolishing the PBS system and strengthening mission-oriented research), and regional R&D (promoting regional innovation based on science and technology).
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.