To reinvigorate the development of advanced science and technology, the government established the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in 1966 and 1967, respectively.

Initially, Korea's national science and technology policies focused mainly on the introduction, absorption, and application of foreign technologies. In the 1980s, however, the emphasis shifted to the planning and conducting of national R&D; projects to raise the level of scientific and technological skills. This included programs to increase both public and private sector R&D; investment and to nurture highly skilled R&D; manpower.


Since the early 1990s, the government has been concentrating on three areas: the fostering of re-search in the basic sciences, securing an efficient distribution and use of R&D; resources and expanding international cooperation. These efforts are intended to increase Korea's technological competitiveness.

With this goal in mind, in 2003, the government placed science and technology (S&T;) at the top of its policy agenda to spur economic growth. The administrative system for S&T; was fundamentally restructured. The position of Minister of Science and Technology (MOST) was elevated to Deputy Prime Minister to better plan, coordinate, and evaluate science and technology innovation-related policies. In addition, the Office of Science and Technology Innovation (OSTI) was newly created in October 2004 to act as the administrative body of the National Science & Technology Council (NSTC), taking res-ponsibility for overall management and coordination of S&T; policies, national R&D; projects, industry and human resources policies related to S&T; innovation and regional technology innovation policies, among other things. The NSTC has three research councils and 19 government-sponsored research organizations in the science and technology field under its jurisdiction.

In 2004, the government announced a plan to restructure the National Innovation System (NIS). The plan emphasizes shifting from a catch-up model to a more creative approach, increasing networking among players and working towards performance and demand-oriented paradigms.

As of the end of 2004, Korea's total R&D; investment reached US$19 billion, which accounted for 2.85 percent of GDP. Korea will also actively invest in the development of public welfare technologies that improve the quality of life and of technologies that can lead to the creation of new industries.

In addition, Korea will continue to strengthen its involvement in global issues such as the preservation of the environment, and a stable supply of food, energy, and health care for the betterment of mankind.