- Four projects
selected such as next-generation battery, lunar exploration, K-UAM, and 6G
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) established the Special
committee on the National Strategic Technology within
the National Science and Technology Advisory Council and held its 1st official meeting
on Tuesday, April 4. The Special Committee is a joint public-private
deliberative body established to closely communicate with government sectors
involved in the development of national strategic technologies as well as
experts from industry, academia, and research institutions in each technology
field.
Science and technology are becoming a key factor to secure a national
competitiveness in the contemporary society. In particular, the development
of science and technology innovation is accelerating
rapidly, as seen in the ChatGPT case. In view of current circumstance, in
October of 2022, the South Korean government announced 12 national strategic
technologies and its plan to foster the country's capabilities. In March of 2023, the government and the
ruling and opposition parties collaboratively passed the Special Act on the Promotion of National Strategic
Technologies as an institutional framework to advance national strategic
technologies for the future of Korea.
The committee is composed of
14 experts in the fields of technology, policy, diplomacy, and security,
including experts from major companies in key
areas of strategic technologies such as Samsung Electronics (semiconductor), LG
Energy Solutions (secondary battery), Naver (artificial intelligence), CJ
CheilJedang (advanced bio), and Hanwha Aerospace (aerospace). In addition, nine
government members from the ministries of defense, foreign affairs, and the
National Intelligence Service, along with economic ministries such as MSIT and MOTIE,
participated.
The first agenda was the operation plan for the Special committee on National
Strategic Technology. In accordance with the Special Act on the Promotion of
National Strategic Technologies, the committee will establish a basic plan for
fostering national strategic technology at the inter-ministerial level. It will
also set national missions and technology development targets, and decide on
major policies such as strategic technology roadmaps.
The second agenda was the selection of national strategic technology projects. In the first half of this
year, a total of four projects were selected, including next-generation
rechargeable batteries, Korean urban air transportation (K-UAM), the second
phase of lunar exploration, and next-generation communication (6G) technology
development, while the semiconductor and display sectors will be prioritized
for review in the second half.
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Candidate Selection Results for National Strategic Technology Projects in the
First Half of the Year 2023>