Ministry of Science and ICT (South Korea)

Ministry of Science and ICT (South Korea)
Agency name	Ministry of Science and ICT
Native name	과학기술정보통신부
Formed	2013 (reorganized 2017)
Preceding1	Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
Preceding2	Ministry of Science and Technology
Jurisdiction	South Korea
Headquarters	Sejong City
Minister	Lee Jong-ho

Ministry of Science and ICT (South Korea) is a cabinet-level ministry of South Korea responsible for national policy on science, information and communications technology, research and development, and related infrastructure. It was created through administrative reorganizations involving the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (South Korea), Ministry of Science and Technology (South Korea), and agencies such as the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. The ministry interfaces with institutions including the National Assembly (South Korea), Blue House, and provincial administrations in Sejong City and Seoul.

History

The ministry traces roots to post-World War II efforts like the establishment of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology; later reorganizations created the Ministry of Science and Technology (South Korea) and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (South Korea). Major milestones include the formation of the current ministry format in 2013 and a reorganization in 2017 aligning with the Moon Jae-in administration’s digital agendas, echoing strategies from earlier administrations such as Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak. The ministry’s evolution has paralleled initiatives like the National Science and Technology Council (South Korea), the Fourth Industrial Revolution policies, and national responses to global events including the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea that accelerated digital transformation and collaborations with entities like the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Organization and leadership

The ministry’s leadership structure comprises the Minister, Vice Ministers, and bureaus overseeing divisions such as ICT policy, science policy, R&D, and technology commercialization. It coordinates with research institutes such as Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, and universities including Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, POSTECH, and KAIST. Its internal agencies interact with funding bodies like the National Research Foundation of Korea and regulatory authorities including the Korea Communications Commission and the Korea Fair Trade Commission on competition matters. Ministers have included figures connected to policy realms such as Ahn Cheol-soo and administrators who liaised with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (South Korea).

Functions and responsibilities

The ministry formulates and implements national policies for institutions such as Korea Meteorological Administration, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, and the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials. It oversees large-scale programs like the national supercomputing initiatives and satellite projects with partners like Korea Aerospace Research Institute and coordinates standards with organizations such as the International Telecommunication Union and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. It also manages grant-making through instruments that fund entities like the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies and monitors compliance with laws including the Framework Act on Science and Technology (South Korea) and ICT regulations intersecting with the Personal Information Protection Commission (South Korea).

Policy initiatives and programs

Notable initiatives include national strategies for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the national Digital New Deal launched under the Moon Jae-in administration, and programs supporting startups such as collaboration with Korea Venture Business Association and accelerators linked to Creative Economy Innovation Centers. The ministry has promoted sectors including semiconductor industry development linked to companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, supported space programs with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, and fostered biotechnology clusters involving the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology and firms such as Celltrion. It has implemented policies for 5G deployment in cooperation with carriers like SK Telecom, KT Corporation, and LG Uplus, and supported standards engagement via 3GPP and GSMA.

Research and development and industry support

The ministry funds R&D through competitors and consortia connecting universities like KAIST and POSTECH with industrial partners including Hyundai Motor Company and POSCO. Programs target areas such as deep learning research at institutions like the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, quantum technologies with labs linked to Institute for Basic Science, and green technologies aligned with policies from the Ministry of Environment (South Korea). It administers grant agencies including the National Research Foundation of Korea and infrastructure investments in projects like the Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research and national laboratory networks that interface with international facilities such as CERN.

International cooperation and partnerships

The ministry engages in bilateral and multilateral cooperation with partners including the United States Department of Commerce, European Commission, Japan Science and Technology Agency, China Ministry of Science and Technology, and agencies such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Intellectual Property Organization. It participates in multinational frameworks like the G20 science discussions, collaborates on space and satellite projects with agencies such as NASA and the European Space Agency, and supports exchange programs involving universities like Oxford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Budget and performance metrics

Budgeting is coordinated with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (South Korea) and approved by the National Assembly (South Korea), allocating funds for basic research, applied R&D, ICT infrastructure, and human resources development. Performance metrics include R&D intensity relative to Gross domestic product, patent filings monitored with the Korean Intellectual Property Office, publication outputs tracked via databases like Scopus and Web of Science, and indicators such as technology transfer rates and startup creation measured against benchmarks from organizations like the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Category:Government ministries of South Korea Category:Science and technology in South Korea