The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lee Jong Ho, hereinafter referred to as "MSIT"), in accordance with the "2^nd Basic Plan for the International Science & Business Belt* (2022-2030)," announced the "Execution Plan for the Establishment of the International Science & Business Belt (2023-2030)" (hereinafter referred to as the "Execution Plan") and its implementation, which aims to develop the Central Districts of the Science Belt (located in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon) into a "global science and industry ecosystem." 

* International Science & Business Belt (hereinafter referred to as the "Science Belt"): The Science Belt is a designated area where the Central Districts and Functional Districts are interconnected to build a world-class basic research environment, and integrate basic research and business in a comprehensive and systematic way. Central Districts, located in Sin-dong, Dungok, and Doryong in Daejeon, serve basic research functions, and Functional Districts, located in Sejong, Cheongju, and Cheonan, carry out commercialization functions. 

The Execution Plan was developed in order to improve the living environment of the Science Belt Central Districts, regarding transportation, education, and housing, and to support commercialization of research and development (R&D) outcomes, as stipulated by the "2^nd Basic Plan for the Science Belt." During the development process, detailed tasks were deliberated through discussions with local government authorities and other relevant organizations*. 

* Daejeon Metropolitan City, National Agency for Administrative City Construction (NAACC), Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH), Korea Innovation Foundation 

Whereas the "1^st Basic Plan for the Science Belt" focused on infrastructure-building and construction of foundations, this Execution Plan is set to drive the continuous development of the Science Belt into an "open research hub with improved living environment that accommodates international standards." To achieve this, the following four strategic tasks were suggested. 

[Strategic task 1] Improving transportation 

- Accessibility to the Science Belt, and balanced and mutual development with the Chungcheong Region will be promoted with the expansion of public transportation that connects to Sejong and Daejeon central urban areas, and the establishment of a regional road network. 

- A Science Belt station will be installed on the B1 route of the Osong-Daejeon Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) by 2025. A design commission for establishing a regional road network connecting Bugang Station (Gyeongbu Line)-Science Belt-North Daejeon Interchange will also be completed by the first half of 2025. 

[Strategic task 2] Securing education environment 

- Necessary facilities will be established to create an educational environment to support work and lives of scientists, engineers, and employees of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Science Belt Central Districts. 

- While there are three public kindergartens currently in operation, additional kindergartens in workplaces are planned to open for the employees of resident companies by 2027. Also, an integrated kindergarten-elementary-middle school is under construction with the goal of opening in the second semester next year. 

[Strategic task 3] Expanding facilities for residents’ convenience 

- Convenience of residents and resident organizations will be improved through expanding spaces for rest, entertainment and leisure, and installing government offices to provide culture, administration, and safety services. 

- By the end of 2024, the reservoirs on the outskirts of the Science Belt will be remodeled into an ecological rest area by connecting with existing waterside walking paths. A construction plan of the public facilities for resident convenience, such as a cultural welfare complex and a 119 safety center, will be formulated by 2024 as well. 

[Strategic task 4] Propelling science and technology commercialization 

- Strategies to reinforce the role of the Science Belt as a hub for nurturing scientific industries and supporting commercialization of basic research and technologies will be concretized. 

- There are plans to establish the "Science Belt Support Center (tentative)" by 2025, and to establish policy framework for supporting commercialization activities, such as developing specific initiatives tailored to the Central Districts. 

Kim Hyeon Soo, the Head of the International Science-Business Belt Promotion Office, stated that, "The Office will strengthen cooperative efforts with relevant organizations to make sure that the strategic tasks included in the Execution Plan could be carried out as scheduled." He further stated, "We will actively support the role of the International Science & Business Belt as the national growth hub integrating basic research and business, to promote tangible outcomes in science commercialization activities." 

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.