Changes made with the people, Government that takes responsibilities until the end｣ Achieve inclusive growth with technology innovation and digital transformation!
The Ministry of Science and ICT (“MSIT”; Minister Lim Hyesook) announced its 2022 Work Plan, which includes its past achievements and goals for 2022, with the slogan, “Realize inclusive growth through technological innovation and digital transformation.”
Past Achievements
As a result of focusing on responding to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and innovating science and technology over the past four and a half years, Korea’s science, technology and ICT are highly regarded* by the international community.
* #1 (Bloomberg Innovation Index), #1 in 5G deployment (OMDIA Global 5G Progress Update), #2 in scientific infrastructure (WEF), #5 in World Digital Potential (JCER)
(Became a leading digital nation through the Digital New Deal) AI medical solution Dr. Answer, on the foundation of data, network, and artificial intelligence (D.N.A.), for exmple, the world's first commercial 5G deployment, establishment of national strategies for artificial intelligence, and establishment of data dams.
* Data market: (2019) KRW16.9 trillion → (2020) KRW 19.3 trillion / data‧AI providers: (2019) 613 companies → (2021) 2,117 companies
(Established a strong scientific and technological foundation through people-centered R&D) Researcher-led basic research has doubled ((2017) KRW 1.26 trillion → (2022) KRW 2.55 trillion), and the first launch of Nuri rocket has laid the foundation for independence of space technology, and 10 key technologies for 2050 carbon neutrality are also under development.
(Raised national competitiveness through establishing a R&D command center) By strengthening comprehensive and coordination functions (for R&D, for example, the launch of the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation), the MSIT is expanding R&D in areas such as materials, components, and equipment through inter-governmental collaboration. In 2021, the Ministry has contributed to the improvement of national competitiveness.
(Improved quality of life through inclusive science, technology and ICT policies) Communication costs worth 4.2 trillion won per year (2020) were reduced by increasing mobile phone plan discount rates and reducing prices for vulnerable groups, digital competency education to more than one million digital learners has been provided, and “return to work” support for of female scientists is being expanded (2,016 people in 2017-2021).
(Supported infection control and prevention through outstanding science, technology and ICT) The MSIT contributed to the development of the first domestic COVID-19 treatment through preclinical tests such as identifying candidate materials and non-human private testing and improved face mask apps and the vaccination booking system in a timely manner.
Goals for 2022
In 2022, the competition for technological dominance is expected to intensify and digital transformation is expected to spread throughout the society. Recognizing that the role of science, technology and ICT is more important than ever, the MSIT plans to further innovate technologies and accelerate the Digital New Deal to create tangible outcomes.
To this end, we will pursue the following four key tasks.
1. Establish a government-wide system for nurturing critical and emerging technology in the era of technological dominance
▶Designate 10 critical and emerging strategies and establish a roadmap (first half of 2022)
▶Establish a specialized organization for managing bold R&D projects (second half of 2022)
▶Enact a special act (2022)
(Nurture critical and emerging technologies) Designate 10 key critical and emerging technologies* based on the Strategy for Fostering Critical and Emerging Technologies (published on 22 December 2021 (Wednesday)) to provide secure support for public R&D investment (KRW 3.3 trillion in 2022; link with 2023-2027 Medium- to Long-Term Investment Strategy) and offer diverse incentives such as simplified preliminary feasibility studies and patent support.
* semiconductor, display, rechargeable battery, artificial intelligence, fifth and sixth generation networks, advanced biology, quantum science, space, hydrogen, cybersecurity, robotics and robot manufacturing
(Improve supporting infrastructure) Create a Korean version of DARPA*, a specialized planning and management agency with authority over its own structure and budget planning to promote ambitious R&D projects, and legislate the Act on the Promotion of Critical and Emerging Technologies (tentative) in 2022 to strengthen institutional foundation.
* DARPA is a U.S. research and development agency that focuses on developing disruptive and innovative technologies. The agency developed the concept of the Internet and speech recognition technology.
(Expand international joint research) Launch cooperation with the U.S. for critical and emerging technologies (e.g. in the fields of quantum science and 6G network) as a follow-up to the ROK-U.S. Summit and expand the current ministerial-level ROK-U.S. Science and Technology Joint Committee to a comprehensive channel that encompasses the public and private sectors (in the second half of 2022), considering the “dual-use” nature of critical and emerging technologies.
2. Innovate technologies that will lead economic and societal changes (e.g. space, carbon neutrality, biotechnology) and build basic science and regional R&D capacity, which is the foundation for innovation.
▶Second launch of Nuri rocket (May 2022)
▶Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter mission (Aug. 2022)
▶Revise the Space Development Promotion Act (second half of 2022)
▶Build a National Preclinical Study Support Center (first half of 2022)
▶Present a future model of research and development special zone (June 2022)
(Space Exploration) Secure space transportation and exploration technologies with the second launch of Nuri rocket (May 2022) and the Korea Pathfinder Lunar Orbiter (KPLO) mission (August 2022), and develop the Korea Positioning System (KPS), which will be crucial to self-driving cars and urban air mobility (UAM) (KRW 32 billion in 2022; KRW 3.7245 trillion by 2035).
Foster a space industry cluster, which includes a business-inclusive launch pad, and introduce diverse types of contracts to encourage private investments (amendments to the Space Development Promotion Act in the second half of 2022).
(Address National Challenges) Focus on the development of carbon neutral technology (KRW 148.6 billion in 2022), material technology (KRW 183.8 billion in 2022), and strategic digital biotechnology (KRW 11.6 billion) for climate change response, self-sufficiency in materials, components and equipment, and global biotechnology
In particular, to prepare for endemics, expand support for vaccine development and research (BSL3) and talent nurturing (KRW 106.4 billion in 2022) and build a National Preclinical Study Support Center (in the first half of 2022) to accelerate the development of next-generation vaccines and treatments.
(Enhance basic science and regional R&D capacity) Continue to expand researcher-led basic research (KRW 2.55 trillion in 2022), ramp up efforts to strengthen basic research capacity (convergence research, etc.), look for outstanding research institute spin-off companies (outstanding startups) in InnoPolises (R&D special zones) while presenting a future development model for R&D special zones (June 2022).
3. Accelerate the Digital New Deal to complete the digital transformation of Korea, and take the initiative in benefitting from the opportunities offered by global digital transformation
▶9 AI+X projects, 5 regional projects
▶10 metaverse platforms
▶7 6G research centers
▶Nationwide 5G coverage: key metropolitan areas in 85 cities (2021) → all metropolitan areas and key villages
(Expand digital economy (D.N.A.)) Establish more data dams* and start a pilot operation of Digital “Jiphyeonjeon” (national online information platform) (in the second half of 2022) to promote the large-scale use of quality data, and strengthen the foundation for fostering the data industry by launching the National Data Strategy Committee (in the first half of 2022).
* 310 types of AI training data sets, expand AI and data voucher support (3,930 cases)
Apply AI to all industries (nine major convergence projects) in five regions (KRW 58.6 billion in 2022), promote the transition to cloud services in the public and private sectors (KRW 59.9 billion in 2022), build more 5G networks across the country, and establish 5G private networks tailored for industry-specific demand (e.g. energy, logistics, manufacturing, etc.).
(Nurture emerging digital industry and encourage industry convergence) Lay the foundation for emerging industries made available by digital transformation, such as the metaverse (KRW 66.8 billion in 2022) and key 6G technologies (KRW 32.3 billion in 2022) and facilitate digital convergence in areas such as health (e.g. expand Dr. Answer and AI ambulances) and transportation (e.g. autonomous vehicles).
To encourage continuous development and innovation of digital platforms and media, develop a Medium- to Long-term Strategic Direction for Digital Platforms (in the first half of 2022) and relax regulations on pay TV.
(Digitally inclusive and safe nation) Legislate the Digital Inclusion Act (in the first half of 2022) to ensure citizens’ fundamental digital rights, open up C-TAS* to actively respond to cyber threats in a hyper-connected society, and increase network stability (improve network structures, diversify recovery methods, etc.)
* C-TAS (Cyber Threat Analysis & Sharing): a public-private platform for cyber threat response.
4. Taking advantage of digital transformation, reduce the pandemic impact and prepare for the future by empowering young people in emerging technologies
▶Nurture digital talent (21500 people)
▶Nurture graduate-level professional talent: KRW 41.3 billion
▶Create Daddy-Long-Legs Foundation (first half of 2022) Host local digital startup boot camps (in five regions)
(Build a strong foundation for taking challenges) Provide tailored consultation programs for young job seekers and potential entrepreneurs (1,000 people in 2022), offer AI and software training in the military (2,000 people in 2022), and launch a software training program* for young people.
* Businesses run software training courses in partnership with universities and offer job opportunities or co-op opportunities.
(More opportunities for growth) Expand digital resource support for young people (e.g. vouchers for data, AI, and cloud), establish the Daddy-Long-Legs Foundation composed of business people to support the entire entrepreneurial life cycle, and organize digital startup bootcamps to foster regional startups (in five regions in 2022).
(Launchpad for going global) Encourage domestic and overseas startups to form joint ventures to attract global startups in Korea, and create new international internship program (280 people in 2022) and researcher exchange program (BrainLink; KRW 7.3 billion in 2022).
Minister Lim Hyesook said, “The year 2022 will be the starting year for securing Korea’s technological sovereignty and taking the lead in digital transformation, building on the achievements of the Digital New Deal and R&D projects.”
After making the announcement on the 2022 Work Plan, Minister Lim will be heading to Yonsei University Health System (YUHS), the first destination for Minister Lim’s official tour in the New Year of the Black Tiger. At the YUHS, the Minister will attend a demonstration of AI ambulance* from one of the Digital New Deal projects, and deliver words of encouragement to researchers and YUHS staff members.
* Deployment of AI to better utilize medical data from the stage of identifying an emergency patient to transferring the patient to an emergency medical center is producing outcomes such as securing golden time, shortening the transport time, enabling advance notification of the patient's status and symptoms, and reducing re-transfer rate
For further information, please contact Spokesperson for foreign media Kim Heehyun (E-mail: coro0131@korea.kr, 82-44-202-4027) or Senior Deputy Director Yang Youngjun of the Ministry of Science and ICT. (E-mail: ideani@korea.kr, 82-44-202-4421)
Please refer to the attached PDF