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 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 2021. [3] As of 2022, South Korea has the sixth largest private investment in artificial intelligence. [4]
The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies 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]
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]
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]
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 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]
Performance of South Korean students in International Science Olympiads
South Korea is the first country in Asia to participate in Horizon Europe, the world's largest multilateral research and innovation program. [27]
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 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 2021. [3] As of 2022, South Korea has the sixth largest private investment in artificial intelligence. [4]
The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies 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]
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]
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]
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 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]
Performance of South Korean students in International Science Olympiads
South Korea is the first country in Asia to participate in Horizon Europe, the world's largest multilateral research and innovation program. [27]