Issue Innovation leaders frame science and technology as Korea's growth engine and survival strategy

Summary

Leaders from universities, research institutes and civic science groups open the outlook by treating science and technology as the core of national strategy for 2026. One view holds that Korea must reignite its stalled growth engine through technology-driven innovation. Another describes an era of technology hegemony in which science equals national security and Korea, under fast pursuit by China, has to prove it can survive through technology. Others ask that research deliver visible solutions to national and social problems that citizens can feel in daily life. Proposals also extend to using science as a vehicle for global solidarity and to building future-oriented science cities in the regions to spread population and support a 50,000-dollar income era. Together the statements set the policy agenda as growth, security and public benefit rather than research output alone.