MSIT’s Work Plan for 2024
The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lee Jong Ho, MSIT) announced its major
policy implementation plan for 2024 on February 13, aiming to "become a global science
and technology powerhouse and a digital model nation."
Over the past year, MSIT has been leading digital innovation, such as the successful third
launch of Nuriho in May, which raised the scientific and technological status of the country
and laid the foundation for the innovation of R&D system, and the announcement of the
"Digital Bill of Rights" in September. Based on the achievements made so far, the Ministry
announced that it will implement four major strategies and twelve key tasks to enable Korea
to achieve another round of growth surge as a global science and technology powerhouse
and digital model country in 2024.
Creating a world-leading R&D hub
MSIT will proactively encourage innovative research that aims to be the best in the world
and create a global R&D hub that can lead the future.
First, the Ministry will strengthen the foundation for global R&D cooperation by expanding
joint research with technologically advanced countries and actively attracting overseas talent.
MSIT will significantly expand joint research with world-class research institutes centered
on basic and national strategic technologies.
In addition, in order to attract overseas talent to Korea, we will provide pre-settlement support
services, and will promptly improve the system that has been recognized as an obstacle to the
expansion of global R&D, by allowing direct participation of overseas organizations in gover
nment-funded R&D.
Second, we will expand support for young researchers who will lead the future and foster global
leading talent through reasonable performance-based rewards. MSIT will create a stable environ
ment for research and academic immersion by establishing graduate school scholarships for the
entire cycle of science and engineering students (bachelor's, master's, and doctoral) and expan
ding support for outstanding young researchers (KRW 216.4 billion in 2023 → KRW 270.2 bill
ion in 2024).
In addition, the government will enhance technology fee compensation (50% to 60% of the gove
rnment's technology fee share) and raise the tax-free limit for invention rewards (5 million won
to 7 million won per year) to boost researchers' morale for research and commercialization.
Third, the Ministry will reform the R&D system so that researchers can freely challenge innova
tive research. We plan to categorize challenging R&D that aims to be the first and best in the
world, expand investment, and apply special exceptions so that they can take bold challenges.
In addition, relevant laws will be enacted and revised to promote challenging and innovative
R&D that has a high probability of failure but a significant impact if successful, nurture
excellent human resources in science and technology, and create a foundation for interna
tional cooperation in R&D. In addition, the system as a whole will be improved by consolid
ating and reorganizing dispersed and fragmented R&D projects (more than 1,200) to enhance
their effectiveness, and phasing out the fiscal year-binding system to allow research projects
to be started at any time of the year.
Driving innovation through challenging R&D
In the era of race for technological supremacy, the Korean government will focus on
implementing R&D projects that challenge the world's first and best to achieve growth
surge as a science and technology powerhouse.
Fourth, the government will accelerate the development of three game-changing technologies
(quantum, AI, and advanced biotechnology). First, in the quantum field, we will build an open
quantum fab (large-scale public research equipment, etc.) that can be utilized by researchers.
In addition, we will launch a cloud service (to support the development of quantum algorithms)
for a domestically developed 20-qubit quantum computer, demonstrate long-distance transmiss
ion of quantum Internet technology (100m→100km) in the second half of 2024, and advance
the world-leading quantum gravity sensor.
In the field of AI, MSIT will promote next-generation technology development (KRW 58 billion
in 2024) to overcome the limitations of generative AI (false answers, bias, etc.), and establish
"AI research hubs" in Korea and the United States to conduct advanced research with leading
overseas researchers (KRW 9 billion) in the second half of 2024. As for cutting-edge biotechn
ology, we will expand global cooperation by supporting joint research with the United States
(Boston, etc.), which has the world's leading bio cluster (15 billion won in 2024).
Fifth, the Ministry will foster the three leading global technologies in next-generation semi
conductors, next-generation network, and space. In an attempt to secure 'super gap' next-
generation semiconductor technologies, we will focus on AI semiconductors (development
and demonstration of homegrown low-power, high-performance AI semiconductors, "K-
Cloud Project"), compound semiconductors (fostering strategic fields such as space, defense,
and communications through industry-academia-research collaboration), and advanced
packaging (development of source technologies, KRW 6.4 billion in 2024). In addition,
the next-generation network projects will include 6G commercialization and standardization
R&D in the second half of 2024, demonstration of domestic open LAN (open wireless access
network) equipment in 2024, and passage of preliminary feasibility study of low-orbit satellite
communication (479.7 billion won).
In the space sector, the Korea Aerospace Administration, a national space development agency,
will establish the framework for space governance through the opening of the agency in May
this year, select companies that participate in next-generation launch vehicle projects for transfer
of launch vehicle technology to the private sector in March 2024, and establish space industry
clusters in South Jeolla Province, South Gyeongsang Province, and Daejeon Metropolitan City
to advance the era of New Space where the space industry is led by the private sector.
Sixth, MSIT will promote R&D of promising future technologies. The Ministry will launch
boundary-pushing R&D project (49 billion won, 2024-2028) that has a high probability of
failure but is expected to have a huge effect if successful, and select and operate a national
hydrogen R&D center to develop homegrown clean hydrogen production technology to realize
carbon neutrality in 2050. In addition, the standard design of innovative SMR, a next-generation
carbon-free small nuclear power plant, will be launched in April.
Furthermore, for a low-power network, the Ministry will develop AI algorithms that save the
power of base stations and apply domestic AI semiconductors in full scale.
Leading the AI and digital transformation
In the era of coexistence with AI, we will lay the foundation for economic and industrial
growth surge based on AI, and lead global norms as a digital model nation.
Seventh, MSIT will identify new businesses and services that can create economic growth
and jobs through AI and digital innovation, and improve the quality of people's lives by
disseminating AI in all aspects of people's lives. First of all, we will support productivity
innovation by securing global AI technology leadership and regulatory improvement across
the economy and industry. In addition, the Ministry will create new markets through the AI
and new digital technology convergence project (40 billion won in 2024), and support
securing leadership in the on-device AI market, which is in the early market stage, by prom
oting the "On-Device AI Promotion Strategy" based on homegrown AI semiconductors.
In addition, MSIT plans to promote wide use of AI in people's everyday lives, importantly
in the five prioritized areas such as education, healthcare, and law (773.7 billion won), and
provide comprehensive support for the rapid introduction of AI innovation in the fields
of data, regulatory innovation, human resource development, and financial and taxation support.
Eighth, we will establish a safe and reliable new digital order in the era of AI coexistence.
Based on the "Digital Bill of Rights" announced last September, the government will develop
the "Implementation Plan for Establishing a New Digital Order," which provides solutions
to digital issues (52 subjects in 17 fields, including AI safety, reliability, and remote medical
treatment) across industry, society, and culture through public discussion by March. In addition,
the Artificial Intelligence Act will be enacted and the AI Safety Research Institute will be esta
blished to create a foundation for AI development and trustworthiness, and the operation of
a private, autonomous AI reliability inspection and certification system will be introduced.
Ninth, MSIT will lead the discussion on global norms for AI and digital fields and secure
global digital market leadership. Together with the government of the U.K., we will hold the
"2nd AI Safety Summit*" in Seoul in May to lead the discussion of AI norms and promote
the globalization of the Digital Bill of Rights to consolidate our status as a model digital nation.
The Korean government will lead the new digital order by sharing the "Digital Bill of Rights"
with international organizations such as the Permanent Consultative Group within the OECD
(newly established), the University of Toronto, and GovAI of the U.K.
In addition, the government will provide specialized support for promising domestic AI
and digital businesses to explore opportunities in overseas markets, including digital twins,
metaverses, SW, and OTT, and expand digital territory by establishing a digital export
pioneering team, the Middle East IT Support Center in Dubai, and expanding cooperation
channels.
Inclusive AI and digital technologies for all
MSIT will create an inclusive AI and digital society where anyone, anywhere in the country
can grow with AI and digital technologies, and where AI and digital industry contribute to
people's livelihood and safety.
Tenth, the Ministry will promote the utilization of AI and digital technologies across the
country. We will expand the number of pilot digital innovation districts that integrate
core AI infrastructure in provincial areas (3 in 2023 → 5 in 2024), while also promoting regional
AI conver gence projects (Chungcheong, Gangwon, Honam, and Yeongnam) to revitalize
local industries, and expanding regional digital innovation projects and smart villages
(110 billion won in 2024 with 99 tasks) to solve local issues with AI and digital technologies.
In addition, through 13 SW Future Learning Centers and SW Shared Growth Project, we
will help students in underprivileged areas and youth preparing for self-reliance achieve
growth based on digital solutions, and promote the enactment of the Digital Inclusion Act,
which legislates access to and use of AI and digital services as a universal right for all citizens,
along with a complete reorganization of digital learning centers to strengthen the public’s capa
bilities to effectively use AI.
In addition, to improve the quality of public SW projects and apply new digital technologies
such as AI, the government will reorganize the system of restricting participation of large com
panies and improve the compensation system, and provide innovative public services of digital
platform government that enable citizens to enjoy tangible benefits.
Eleventh, we will improve the oligopoly system in the telecommunications market to
strengthen the competition system and contribute to the stability of people's livelihood
by strengthening win-win cooperation between platforms. Following last year's segmentation
of middle tier 5G plans and the establishment of plans for the young and elderly, we will
introduce the lowest 5G plan under 40,000 won. Together with the Korea Communications
Commission, MSIT will abolish the "Mobile Device Distribution Improvement Act" and
transfer user protection provisions to the "Telecommunications Business Act" in order to
promote sound competition among businesses and enhance users’ benefits, while inducing
the launch of mid- to low-priced devices (under 900,000 won) to ease the burden of mobile
device purchase costs.
Furthermore, the government plans to improve the oligopolistic structure of the
telecommunications market and revitalize competition by supporting telecommunications
facilities utilization and distribution of devices to ensure the soft-landing of the new telecom
munications service provider that has won frequencies through auctions.
Lastly, the government will build more solid digital safety system for strengthened national
safety and cyber threat responses. The government will enact the Digital Service Safety Act
for constant and systematic digital disaster management, and prepare measures to improve
national safety by applying new digital technologies (AI, intelligent CCTV, etc.)
in response to increasing safety threats such as indiscriminate crimes and extreme disasters.
In addition, the Ministry plans to build an AI-based integrated analysis, prevention,
and response system, Cyber Spider by investing KRW 9 billion, in order to prevent increasing
cyber threats such as hacking.
"This year marks the third year of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, and we will be more
proactive when implementing policies for the future of Korea," said Minister of Science and
ICT Lee Jong Ho. "We will create an R&D hub where the world's top researchers conduct
innovative research together, and thoroughly prepare for the AI and digital transformation,
so that Korea can achieve another round of growth surge as a science and technology
powerhouse and model digital nation."
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.