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Science and technology in South Korea

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Science and technology in South Korea has advanced throughout the decades. The advancement of science and technology has become an integral part of economic planning in South Korea.[1] Fast-growing industries have created a massive demand for new and more advanced technologies.[1] Additionally, Korean engineers and scientists propose that the advancement of science and technology in partnership with North Korea could help facilitate the peaceful reunification of North and South Korea.[2]

In the pursuit of advancement, South Korea has taken a centralized approach.[1] South Korea was ranked 5th in the Global Innovation Index in 2024.[3] As of 2022, South Korea has the sixth largest private investment in artificial intelligence.[4]

History

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Main article: History of science and technology in Korea

Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST)

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The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies [ko] was established in 1966 and consists of 780 organizations as of 2012.[2] The goals of the KOFST are to make the sharing of technology and research data between these societies easier and to encourage and facilitate the cooperation of Pacific Rim countries.[2]

Aerospace Engineering

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See also: Korea Aerospace Research Institute and South Korea–European Union relations
A replica of the Naro-1

South Korea has sent up 10 satellites from 1992, all using foreign rockets and overseas launch pads, notably Arirang-1 in 1999, and Arirang-2 in 2006 as part of its space partnership with Russia.[5] Arirang-1 was lost in space in 2008, after nine years in service.[6]

In April 2008, Yi So-yeon became the first Korean to fly in space, aboard the Russian Soyuz TMA-12.[7][8]

In June 2009, the first spaceport of South Korea, Naro Space Center, was completed at Goheung, South Jeolla Province.[9] The launch of Naro-1 in August 2009 resulted in a failure.[10] The second attempt in June 2010 was also unsuccessful.[11] However, the third launch of the Naro 1 in January 2013 was successful.[12] The government plans to develop Naro-2 by the year 2018.[13]

Companies involved in the aerospace and defense markets of South Korea are primarily large multinational companies.[14] These large companies have been further strengthened by a push towards consolidation in the market.[14] This results in a difficulty for newer companies to enter the South Korean aerospace market.[14]

With the final successful launch of the Nuri, which South Korea launched for the third time in 2023, South Korea has become the seventh country in the world to have a medium-sized liquid-propellant rocket engine over 75 tons.[15]

Two years after South Korea officially expressed its intention to join Horizon Europe in 2022, South Korea and the European Union signed a Horizon Europe agreement, which is expected to allow Korea to participate in that from 2025.[16]

Defense Technology

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Due to the growing perceived threat of North Korea, South Korea is increasing defense spending.[14] In 2019, South Korea is expected to increase spending by the largest amount in 11 years.[14]

Hanwha Techwin is a leading South Korean company manufacturing defense products, security devices, engines, digital solutions, and integrated control systems in South Korea.[14] Hanwha Techwin produces video recorders, surveillance software, access control products, and intelligent machinery and solutions.[14]

Biotechnology

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See also: Traditional Korean medicine

Since the 1980s, the South Korean government has invested in the development of a domestic biotechnology industry, and the sector is projected to grow to $6.5 billion by 2010.[17] The medical sector accounts for a large part of the production, including production of hepatitis vaccines and antibiotics.

Recently, research and development in genetics and cloning has received increasing attention, with the first successful cloning of a dog, Snuppy (in 2005), and the cloning of two females of an endangered species of wolves by the Seoul National University in 2007.[18]

The rapid growth of the industry has resulted in significant voids in regulation of ethics, as was highlighted by the scientific misconduct case involving Hwang Woo-Suk.[19]

Robotics

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Main article: South Korean robotics
Airport cleaning robot by LG

Robotics has been included in the list of main national R&D projects in South Korea since 2003.[20] In 2009, the government announced plans to build robot-themed parks in Incheon and Masan with a mix of public and private funding.[21]

In 2005, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) developed the world's second walking humanoid robot, HUBO. A team in the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology developed the first South Korean android, EveR-1 in May 2006.[22] EveR-1 has been succeeded by more complex models with improved movement and vision.[23][24]

Plans of creating English-teaching robot assistants to compensate for the shortage of teachers were announced in February 2010, with the robots being deployed to most preschools and kindergartens by 2013.[25] Robotics are also incorporated in the entertainment sector as well; the Korean Robot Game Festival has been held every year since 2004 to promote science and robot technology.[26]

International Science Olympiads

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Performance of South Korean students in International Science Olympiads

  • South Korea's rank based on number of Gold Medals in last 10 years (2014–2023):

Cooperation with other countries

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European Union

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See also: South Korea–European Union relations and Horizon Europe

South Korea is the first country in Asia to participate in Horizon Europe, the world's largest multilateral research and innovation program.[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Arnold, Walter (April 1988). "Science and Technology Development in Taiwan and South Korea". Asian Survey. 28 (4): 437–450. doi:10.2307/2644737. JSTOR 2644737.
  2. ^ a b c Sung, Nack-Chung; Chung, Yong Seung (December 6, 1996). "S&T in South Korea". Science. 274 (5293). American Association for the Advancement of Science: 1591. doi:10.1126/science.274.5293.1591. S2CID 167778225 – via Gale Academic.
  3. ^ World Intellectual Property Organization (2024). Global Innovation Index 2024. Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship. Geneva. p. 18. doi:10.34667/tind.50062. ISBN 978-92-805-3681-2. Retrieved 2024-10-22. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ "India ranks 5th in countries with most AI investment". Adda 24/7. April 13, 2023.
  5. ^ "Korea, Russia Enter Full-Fledged Space Partnership". Defence Talk. July 5, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  6. ^ South Korea Confirms Contact With Satellite Lost, Space Daily, January 7, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  7. ^ "Scientist Yi So Yeon becomes first Korean astronaut", The Times (London), April 9, 2008
  8. ^ "First S Korean astronaut launches". BBC News (April 8, 2008). Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  9. ^ "S. Korea Completes Work on Naro Space Center" Archived April 17, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, The Korea Times (Seoul), June 10, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  10. ^ "S. Korean satellite lost shortly after launch". Yonhap. August 26, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  11. ^ "Global Insider: South Korea's Space Program". Worldpoliticsreview.com. June 29, 2010. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  12. ^ Chris Bergin (January 30, 2013). "South Korea launch STSAT-2C via KSLV-1". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  13. ^ "Naro-1 explodes after takeoff", Joongang Daily (Seoul), June 11, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g Hoffman, Marci (ed.). "South Korea - Defense & National Security". Foreign Law Guide. Brill. doi:10.1163/2213-2996_flg_com_111032h.
  15. ^ "Nuri, the Korea launch vehicle". KARI.
  16. ^ "South Korea joins EU's research programme Horizon Europe". Chemistry World. March 27, 2024.
  17. ^ "Bio International Convention Korea Country Profile" (PDF). Bio2008.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 17, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
  18. ^ AFP. "Discovery Channel :: News – Animals :: Endangered Wolf Cloned in South Korea". Dsc.discovery.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  19. ^ "Biotechnology" (PDF). Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  20. ^ Special Report: [Business Opportunities] R&D Archived April 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Ministry of Knowledge Economy, September 3, 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
  21. ^ "Robot parks, a world first". JoongAng Daily, February 13, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
  22. ^ Android Has Human-Like Skin and Expressions, Live Science, May 8, 2006. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
  23. ^ "Female Android Debuts in S. Korea, National Geographic, May 15, 2006". National Geographic. October 28, 2010. Archived from the original on June 3, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  24. ^ "EveR-3, Yonhap News, April 20, 2009" (in Korean). Naver News. April 20, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  25. ^ South Korean Robot English Teachers Are Go, Popular Science, February 24, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  26. ^ Korean Robot Game Festival Archived May 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Official Site
  27. ^ "South Korea first in Asia to join 'Horizon Europe', EU's research and innovation program". The Chosun Daily. March 26, 2024.
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