roh Tae-woo Era: Science and Tech Policy Shift
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SEOUL, South Korea – In a move to bolster South korea’s science and technology sectors, then-President Roh Tae-woo convened the National Science and Technology Advisory conference on April 3, 1992.The conference, held at Cheong wa Dae (the Blue House), served as a platform for advisors to present policy recommendations directly to the president.
Key Policy Recommendations
The advisory group, comprised of 19 members including former Deputy Prime Minister Cho Soon-seop and Minister of Science and Technology Kim Jin-hyun, focused on several key areas:
- Promotion of basic science and technology research
- Human resource growth in science and technology
- comprehensive measures for environmental science and technology
Kim Sung-jin, chairman of the advisory group, emphasized the need for dedicated funding for basic research within ministry budgets. He also proposed establishing the Korea Environmental Technology Development Institute, now known as the Korea Institute of Environmental Research, to address climate change and environmental issues.
“In order to promote basic science research, we need to establish basic research funds in the relevant ministries and set more than a certain percentage of research investments in departments and government-invested institutions,” Kim said.
Kim also highlighted the importance of securing top-tier scientific and technical personnel through incentives such as exemptions or deferments from mandatory military service for doctoral candidates, expanded research facilities at universities, and increased scholarships and post-doctoral research programs.
Intelligence Gathering and International Trends
Minister Kim jin-hyun presented a special report on international science and technology policy trends, advocating for domestic intelligence agencies to collect overseas science and technology information.He cited examples of similar practices in the United States and Japan.
“Domestic intelligence agencies should also collect science and technology information as well as the performances of science and technology information,” Kim said, emphasizing the need to cope with technical hegemony and technology barriers in developed countries.
Kim noted that the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and the CIA were actively involved in collecting technology and economic information. He also pointed to Japan’s Ministry of Science and Technology Information Center and France’s National Science and Technology Information Research Institute as models for gathering and disseminating scientific and technological knowlege.
President Roh’s Response
President Roh Tae-woo expressed his support for the recommendations, urging the Ministry of education to promote basic research, develop science and technology personnel, and expand science culture. He also encouraged collaboration between the Ministry of Environment and other relevant ministries.
“Advisory meetings gather the wisdom of various fields and provide good suggestions for the development of the science and technology education system and the productivity of national research activities,” Roh said.
Establishment of the Environmental Technology Development Institute
Following the advisory council’s report, the Ministry of Environment moved swiftly to establish the environmental Technology Development Institute. The institute’s promotion committee convened on Dec. 6, 1992, to discuss project plans, articles of incorporation, and the appointment of executives. Dr. Jae-sik Roh, from the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, was appointed as the first director.
The korea Environmental Technology Development Institute was officially launched on Jan.29, 1993, marking the establishment of South Korea’s first national research institute dedicated to environmental technology.
Evolution of the Institute
The institute underwent several name changes over the years. In september 1997, it was renamed the Korea Environmental Policy Research Institute. In January 1999,it became a government-funded research institute under the Prime Minister.Most recently, in August 2021, it was renamed the Korea Institute of Environmental Research.The current director is Dr. Chang-hoon Lee.
# Roh Tae-woo Era: A Turning Point in South Korean Science and Technology
## what notable policy changes occurred during President Roh Tae-woo’s management regarding science and technology?
In 1992, President Roh Tae-woo convened the National Science and Technology Advisory Conference to strategize on bolstering south korea’s science and technology sectors.This pivotal event lead to several key policy recommendations and initiatives.
## What was the primary goal of the National Science and Technology Advisory conference in 1992?
The primary goal of the conference, held at Cheong wa Dae (the Blue House), was for advisors to present policy recommendations directly to President Roh Tae-woo to strengthen South Korea’s science and technology.
## What were the key policy recommendations from the advisory group?
The advisory group concentrated on three key areas:
* promotion of basic science and technology, and its research
* Human resource growth in science and technology
* Extensive measures for environmental science and technology
## How did the advisory group propose to promote basic science research?
Kim Sung-jin, the chairman of the advisory group, emphasized the need for dedicated funding for basic research. His suggestion was to establish basic research funds within relevant ministries and allocate a certain percentage of research investments in departments and government-invested institutions.
## What incentives were proposed to attract top-tier scientific and technical personnel?
To attract and retain top-tier talent, the advisory group suggested:
* Exemptions or deferments from mandatory military service for doctoral candidates.
* expanded research facilities at universities.
* Increased scholarships and post-doctoral research programs.
## How did South Korea address the need for scientific and technological intelligence gathering?
Minister Kim Jin-hyun advocated for domestic intelligence agencies to gather overseas science and technology data.He highlighted the importance of staying ahead of technological advancements and dealing with technological barriers.
## What role did other countries play in influencing South Korea’s approach to science and technology intelligence?
The advisory group cited the United States and Japan as models for collecting technology and economic information. The U.S.National Security agency (NSA) and CIA, along with Japan’s Ministry of Science and Technology Information Centre and France’s National Science and Technology Information Research Institute, were examples of institutions that South Korea could learn from.
## How did President roh Tae-woo respond to the advisory group’s recommendations?
President Roh Tae-woo voiced his support for the recommendations. He urged the Ministry of Education to promote basic research, develop science and technology personnel, and expand science culture. he also encouraged cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and other relevant ministries.
## What was the significance of establishing the Environmental Technology Development Institute?
The establishment of the Environmental Technology Development Institute, later evolving into the Korea Institute of Environmental Research, marked a major step in South Korea’s commitment to environmental science and technology. This was the nation’s first national research institute dedicated to environmental technology.
## Can you provide a timeline of the Environmental Technology Development Institute’s name changes and leadership?
Certainly.Here’s a table summarizing the evolution of the institute:
| Name | Date | Director (or relevant leadership) |
|---|---|---|
| Korea Environmental Technology Development Institute | Launched: Jan. 29, 1993 | Dr. Jae-sik roh |
| Korea Environmental Policy Research institute | September 1997 | Not Specified in the Source |
| Government-Funded Research institute (under the Prime Minister) | January 1999 | Not Specified in the Source |
| Korea Institute of Environmental research | August 2021 | Dr.Chang-hoon Lee |
## What impact did these policies have on South Korea’s technological advancement?
while the direct impact isn’t explicitly stated in the article, the policies during the Roh Tae-woo era laid the groundwork for South Korea’s future technological advancements. They emphasized research, talent development, and international collaboration, all crucial for technological growth.
