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According to Yonhap News,

(SEOUL=Yonhap News) In 2019, the Korean government plans to focus its R&D budget on researcher-centered basic research and leading innovative growth, preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution as well as disaster and safety.

The decision was made on June 29, when the Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology (Chairperson: the president) held its 2nd hearing on the "2019 budget allocation and coordination of government R&D projects (plan)."

Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology Vice Chairperson Yeom Han-woong stated, "the 2019 budget allocation and coordination of government R&D projects plan is the first task we are carrying out after the establishment of the new administration's national affairs. We will not sway from the national philosophy and focus on expanding researcher-centered basic research, accelerating innovative growth, disaster prevention and safety, improving the quality of life as well as fostering talent and creating jobs."

Vice-chair Yeom went on to add, "please focus on coming up with practical implementations in relevant departments so that the policies discussed today can quickly become visible achievements for innovative growth and contribute to the happiness of our citizens."

The council is the highest deliberation body in the field of science and technology according to the Law of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology. The council consists of 18 members including the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, five ministers and senior advisers (secretary), and 10 members of the civil society in the fields of science and technology as well as humanities.

The budget allocation and adjustment plan for the R&D projects total KRW 15.8 trillion won for different areas of R&D. The budget for researcher-centered basic research amounts to KRW 1.68 trillion, up 17.6% YoY The budget for leading innovative growth is KRW 850 billion, a 27.2% YoY increase. The budget for the Fourth Industrial Revolution preparations total KRW 1.7 trillion, up 13.4% Yoy. KRW 1.5 trillion will be set aside for disaster prevention and another KRW 1.5 trillion for safety, a 16.7% YoY increase.

The comprehensive R&D Plan aims for world-class research results, cultivating the next generation of researchers and finding the seeds for future society. In order to achieve this, the plan includes the 4 strategies of researcher-centered basic research, the establishment of a basic research support system, creating an immersive research environment based on autonomy and responsibility and creating a basic research ecosystem that the public can witness.

The researcher-centered basic research support fund will increase from KRW 1.26 trillion last year to KRW 2.5 trillion by 2022.

The 2nd comprehensive plan for solving social problems based on science and technology include plans for creating a government-wide cooperation system and an ecosystem for solving social problems that citizens can experience.

In order to establish a cooperative system for government departments, the council will operate a private-public council on social problem solving composed of central ministries, local governments and private experts. There will also be a mandatory verification process put in place to make sure the projects lead to tangible solutions and the strengthening of support for activating community-based Living Labs.

Also, the 1st National Marine Fisheries Science and Technology Fundamental Development Plan (draft) and the 1st Comprehensive Plan for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Science and Technology R&D Act were confirmed.

The National Marine Fisheries Science and Technology Fundamental Development Plan aims to establish a development and proliferation system to solve problems such as maritime disasters, accidents, pollution and job creation as well as to innovate major industries such as shipping and fisheries.

The Comprehensive Plan for the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Science and Technology R&D Act includes the focused support and development of innovative growth engines such as smart cities and autonomous vehicles, as well as R&D strategies to add value to the projects of the ministry. The Ministry plans to raise the country's competitiveness in the field of innovative growth engines to 3rd largest in the world and increase the overall technology level in the land transport sector to 85% of that of leading countries.

scitech@yna.co.kr

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Source Text

** This article was translated from Korean.

Source: Yonhap News (June 29, 2018)