South Korea Reviews 60 Years of R&D to Pivot National Science Strategy

The Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology (PACST) launched the first 'PACST Science and Technology Forum' on August 13, 2026, in Seoul. This initiative marks a high-level strategic effort to re-evaluate the fundamental purpose of South Korea's national research and development (R&D) efforts.

Co-hosted with the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) at the Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, the inaugural event focused on a general review of the past 60 years of national R&D. The goal is to establish a new vision for science and technology policy that aligns with modern global demands. This session is the first of four planned forums scheduled for the remainder of the year. Subsequent meetings will occur on September 30 to discuss R&D support methods, November 4 to redefine R&D results, and December 16 to address the creation of a sustainable research environment.

The Drive for Strategic Pivot

This policy review comes as South Korea faces intensifying global competition for technological hegemony and increasingly complex social challenges. For six decades since the country's liberation, national R&D followed a specific historical trajectory; however, officials now argue that the current global landscape requires a fundamental shift.

Lee Kyung-soo, Vice Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology, emphasized the urgency of this transition. He stated that because the surroundings of national R&D are changing rapidly, the country has reached a point where the purpose and direction of these efforts must be reviewed from the ground up.

Implications for the Innovation Ecosystem

The shift represents an attempt to move away from legacy R&D paths toward a more agile and future-oriented "innovation ecosystem." By re-examining the core objectives of state-funded research, the government aims to ensure that massive national investments yield effective, real-world results rather than theoretical gains. This pivot is seen as essential for maintaining competitiveness in a world where technology is increasingly used as a tool for geopolitical and economic leverage.

Future Outlook

As the series progresses through the end of 2026, the focus will shift from historical review to operational reform. The upcoming forums on support methods and result definition will likely determine how funding is allocated and how success is measured in the new framework. Observers will be watching to see if these discussions result in concrete legislative changes or a restructuring of how the state interacts with research institutions to ensure long-term sustainability. The outcome of these four sessions will likely define the trajectory of South Korean innovation for the next decade, shifting the focus from quantitative output to qualitative, strategic impact.