Focus Changed
On June 29, the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning decided to increase the national R&D project budget for next year to 14.592 trillion won (US$13.1 billion), which is equivalent to 101.3% of this year’s budget for the same purpose.
1.8 trillion won, up 15.6% from a year earlier, is slated to go to basic research and source technology development for scientific and technological promotion and job creation in related sectors. The budget for supporting those engaged in basic research activities has been increased by 240 billion won (US$216 million) to 1.5 trillion won (US$1.3 billion).
The budget allocated for the five fields that are closely related to the so-called fourth industrial revolution has been raised by 25.6% to 1.523 trillion won (US$1.37 billion). The five fields are basic sciences such as brain science and math, core technology related to artificial intelligence and big data, fundamental technology like semiconductor, integrated technology for self-driving and so on, and the improvement of legal and systemic infrastructure.
Package support is introduced for the development of self-driving vehicles, precision medicine and particulate matter reduction, which constitute the three national strategic projects for next year. “The package support is to provide comprehensive assistance, not project by project, by combining related techniques, industries and systems with one another,” the ministry explained.
The R&D investment against natural disasters like avian influenza, particulate matter and foot-and-mouth disease went up by 10.3% to 895.1 billion won (US$805 million). Meanwhile, the budget for the aerospace, aviation and maritime sectors fell by 6% to 1.0368 trillion won (US$930 million).