Strategic industry
The Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy released its fourth four-year plan for the development of materials and components on December 26.
The purpose of the plan is to accelerate the development of the materials and components industry, which is a typical example of sectors making a greater contribution to high added value creation, and help South Korea join the ranks of global technological leaders based on its achievements. The plan is a follow-up of the third plan that covered the period of 2013 to 2016.
According to the plan, the ministry is going to work on 100 advanced material and component techniques and technologies by 2025 in order to prepare for the fourth industrial revolution. The 100 items are divided into 50 for the preparation of the fourth industrial revolution and 50 for the advancement of major industries. The former include 5G modem, high-performance aircraft navigation system, high-strength and high-formability aluminum and bioceramic implant material. Examples of the latter are technologies for an increase in the density of lithium ion batteries, power semiconductor techniques, OLED engine techniques, ceramic beauty care materials, etc.
The project is to be based on inter-ministerial cooperation, national strategic projects and so on. In this context, 15 material research labs and certification centers are to be reorganized into five alliance organizations, each covering metal, chemical, textile, ceramic & electronics and machinery & automobile.