Issue Strategy 1: rebuild a field-centred innovation system with stable R&D and future talent

Summary

The plan's review of the fifth basic plan finds that, just as a science-led reshaping of the global order took hold, Korean research was exposed to uncertainty in government policy and investment and was driven more by government control than by voices from the field. In response, the first strategy seeks stable R&D investment and stronger cross-ministry cooperation built on the revived post of deputy prime minister for science, and aims to encourage risk-taking by innovators on the basis of autonomy, trust and collaboration. It also stresses a research environment in which failure is not feared, support for basic research and frontier science, and help for young researchers and other future talent. As core targets, the plan sets government R&D investment of at least 200 trillion won over five years. It also aims to raise Korea's rank in the innovation output pillar of the WIPO Global Innovation Index from 6th to 4th and to increase the number of Highly Cited Researchers from 76 to 100.