MEETING AT MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (MOST) Background: The Ministry of Science and Technology was established in 1967 as the central agency for the coordination of scientific and technological development. MOST is one of 20 ministries in the Korean government and 1 of 3 ministries under the direct responsibility of the Prime Minister. MOST is organized into eight major function areas: 1) Planning and Management Office; 2) R&D Policy and Coordination Office; 3) Technology Policy and Development Office; 4) Atomic Energy Bureau; 5) National Science Museum; 6) Central Meteorological Service; 7) Dae Duk Science Town Administration Office; and 8) Government Supported R&D Institutes (there are nine institutes, of which KAIST--Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology--is the most important. Officials Present: Mr. Choi Young-Hwan, Assistant Minister, Technology Policy and Development Office; Mr. Chin Hai-Sool, Director, Planning and Coordination Division, Mr. Yu Hee-Yol, Director, Technology Transfer Division, Mr. Ho Nam, Director, Nuclear Safety Division, Nuclear Safety and Cooperation Office; Dr. Kang Bak-Kwang, Research Coordinator for Basic Research; Dr. Kim Hoagy, Chemical Research Coordinator; Mr. Kyung Jong-Chul, Director, Program Development and Promotion; Dr. Substance of Meeting: In 1985, 1.7% of Korea's GNP was spent on R&D. Korea plans to increase this to 3% by the year 2001. Areas in which Korea is devoting much attention to are cooperation with the U.S., manpower, and joint ventures. Major fields of development include: semiconductors and computers; chemistry technologies; basic science; automation techniques; genetic engineering technology; Information industry; marine, aeronautic and space engineering technologies. Korea is preparing a long-term science and technology policy that will carry the nation into the next century. It is based on fostering manpower, increasing the nation's R&D investments and heightening industrial technology. MOST plans to train about 150,000 core-scientific and technological researchers from 1986 to 2001. If accomplished, the nation will have 30 highly trained researchers for every 10,000 people, the average ratio for an advanced country. MOST plans to provide technical support for 100 technology intensive small and medium industries each year. Major projects being conducted by MOST include: a Technology Promotion Conference; joint R&D projects between government, industry and research institutes; support for small and medium industries; and construction of Dae Duk Science Town. Additional questions by staff provided more insight into how Korea is strengthening its science and technology base. It was found that the government is often involved in the commercialization phase of technology through joint ventures with industry. A great deal was learned about the education of Korea's scientists and engineers. Most PhD engineers and scientists are educated in the U.S., while Masters degrees are earned locally. Of approximately 400,000 undergraduates in Korea, almost 1/2 are studying in the science field. There are about 7,000 graduate students. Korea plans to improve its higher education system by increasing funding. Currently 10% of the Special Industrial Technological Financing System's $50 million fund goes to universities. It is hoped that in five years 30% will go toward university education. Further, the Korean Science and Engineering Foundation (similar to our National Science Foundation) provides research grants. While Korea is greatly interested in space issues, there is virtually no space program at all. Korea hopes to launch a communication satellite between 1993-1994, however, at this time there are no specific plans to do So. Date of Visit: MEETING WITH MINISTER FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY January 7, 1986 Location: Ministry for Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea Four years ago This Korea's R&D expenditures amount to 2 percent of GNP, or $1.7 billion. includes both government and industry expenditures. industry accounted for 30 percent of this amount. The longer term aim is to raise industry's share to 60 percent and reduce Government's share to 40 percent. In Korea basic research was, up until recently, mostly done by manufacturing companies. In recent years, however, Government funding of basic research has risen, including funding of university research. Funding goes mostly to individual scholars. Taken together, Government and industry basic research expenditures amount to about $500 million. This amount includes salaries of the scientists as well as research facility construction costs. The aim is to increase expenditures for pure research to 10 percent of all R&D expenditures. Korea will not be able to spend much on "Big Science" projects. But Korean professors are very much interested in such big science projects as the Superconducting Supercollider. Americans must be mindful that total R&D funding in Korea is 1 percent of U.S. R&D expenditures. As a result, big science is out of reach of Korea except for sending Korean scientists to do research on those facilities elsewhere. That will be the case for at least the next ten years. Up until recently there was a great gap between universities and industry. Now there is better continuity, and industry is now asking the Government to spend more in the universities. The bigger industrial firms are also able to furnish substantial funds for applied research in the universities. In Korea the Patent Office is under the Ministry for Commerce and Industry, and that Ministry is handling the current discussions between the U.S. and Korea concerning patent protection for American firms doing business in Korea. It is recognized in Korea that their own scientists and engineers are now reaching a point in many areas of technology where they, too, want patent protection for their inventions. As a result, a settlement of the current bilateral discussions is moving closer. In Korea there are 32,000 research and development people with educations above the B.S. degree level. The aim is to increase that to 100,000 by the year 2000. About 10,000 scientists and engineers will be sent abroad for postdoctoral work each year with a stay in those countries of at least a year. In the past people with advanced degrees stayed in education, and few went into industry. Now, however, industry is offering very good conditions to attract skilled people. Many still elect to work in the universities. Korea now gets 30 percent of its electric power from nuclear power plants. By the year 2000 the aim is to increse that to 50 percent. There are problems with the licensing process, and it takes at least six years to get a plant on line. Korea has established a very good safety record and, with strong security provisions, there have been no problems with sabotage. Korean nuclear plants are subject to AEA inspections. By the U.S. firms are used for plant construction, as has been the case, for example, in Pakistan. There has not been a good level of technology transfer to Korea, and improvements in this area are being pursued. year 2050 Korea wants to have its own civilian nuclear power plant capability. Korea does not have a budget for fusion, and there is a feeling that the U.S. fusion program is so large and diversified that it would be hard to match. In the field of communications Korea has developed a strong cable and microwave system. Communications satellites are not now being used, but by the early nineties such a capability will be needed. It is expected that both the U.S. space shuttle and the Ariane will be used for launches. Korea makes almost a fad of science and technology. The President is very much interested, and has influenced the budget increases for R&D. A year 2000 plan was developed last year and plans for its implementation are now being formulated. Date of Visit: Location: MEETING AND TOUR AT KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF January 7, 1986 Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Background: KAIST was established in 1981 by merging KAIS (Korea Advanced Institute of Science) and KIST (Korea Institute of Science and Technology) integrating graduate education in science with research in science and technology. KAIST has the dual functions of providing scientific manpower and developing new technologies. Their basic objectives are: 1. Educate and develop high-caliber manpower for competence in both abstract theory and practical applications in the fields of science and technology. 2. Conduct basic and applied research to implement medium to long-term projects of national significance, and develop the nation's scientific and technological potential. 3. Provide comprehensive research and assistance services for the professional organizations, and dissemination research results for public record and use. KAIST officials who met with the delegation were: Dr. Hakze Chon, President Dr. Yong Kyu Lim, Auditor Dr. Byung Ha Cho, Dean, Academic Affairs and Student Services Dr. Won Hee Park, Director, Research Coordination Dr. T.W. Kwon, Director, International Programs Dr. Chun Sik Lee, Director, Mechanical Engineering Dr. 11 Koo Kang, Director, Materials Science and Engineering Dr. Jung Woong Ra, Director, Electrical Engineering Dr. Moon Hi Han, Director, Genetic Engineering Center Briefings: Dr. Chon briefed the delegation on the organization and accomplishments of KAIST and some of the current activities. KAIST has graduated over 2700 Masters and Ph.D's since 1975 and currently has 1400 Masters candidates and 700 Ph.D candidates. Their budget was $16 million in 1985 with approximately 70-75% coming from the the Government and the remaining from industry. Their current staff is composed of 1122 personnel almost evenly divided between administrative/support and scientist/engineers. There are eight divisions in KAIST with 14 different departments. The divisions are: Mathematics and Physics; Chemistry; Biological Science and Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Materials Science and Engineering; Mechanical Engineering; Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; and Industrial Engineering. There are basically three categories of students at KAIST: full Government scholarship students; industrial co-op students; and continuing education students. All are exempted from military service and are obligated for a specified period of time to serve either their employers, in the case of the industrial co-op students, or an organization specified by the Government if they received support from the Government. In addition, KAIST is also considering development of a special "genius program" for gifted students. Research programs at KAIST encompass a wide range of disciplines including, among others, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, fiber optics, chemical processes, materials, aerospace, computer science, energy and telecommunications. They are currently conducting over 3300 R&D projects with a budget of $86 million. KAIST is heavily involved in biotechnology and is devoting significant effort in this area towards improving the quality of life thorugh more efficient food and energy production, pharmaceuticals, and environmental technology. Currently ninety researchers including 18 Ph.D's are involved in genetic engineering programs. The delegation was given an opportunity to observe first hand some of the research facilities in two areas of KAIST's research program: materials and biotechnology. In the area of materials the delegation was shown the laboratories for high temperature materials and the study of creep in intermetallic materials; direct iron ore reduction; continuous casting R&D using water models; fine ceramics focused primarily on electronic applications; powder metallurgy involving tungsten powder, and sputtering technology involving chromium and cobalt alloy systems. In biotechnology the group was given an opportunity to see the institution's pharmaceutical work. Because of time constraints little detail was given during these tours. However, examination of KAIST's technical publications for 1984 (over 400) indicated significant activity, particularly at the theoretical level in their various research areas. Background: The first official function of the delegation in Japan was an in-country briefing and discussion of major issues with the U.S. Ambassador and his staff at the U.S. Embassy. This session was considered an important prerequisite to the subsequent meetings with Members of the Diet. Officials Present: Ambassador Mike Mansfield and Dr. Gerard F. Helfrich, Counselor for Scientific Affairs. Substance of Meeting: Ambassador Mansfield stated that the U.S.--Japan relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world today. Nonetheless, the U.S. will have a difficult year in many aspects of its relations with Japan during 1986. The most serious issue is the U.S. trade deficit with Japan, which was $37 billion in 1984, and is likely to be $50 billion when the figures are announced for 1985. U.S. officials have been negotiating with Japanese officials for an opening of the markets in Japan for U.S. goods. Progress is reported in the areas of telecommunications, medical devices and pharmaceuticals. However, the U.S. is not doing so well in lumber and construction materials, where U.S. trade negotiators are trying to reduce tariffs by 25-30 percent. Ambassador Mansfield pointed out that if Japan were to cooperate in opening up its markets, the U.S. trade deficit would be reduced by perhaps $10-15 billion. It is the relative value of the dollar to the yen which is the chief roadblock in the trade situation. The Ambassador was pleased that the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury has reached an agreement with Japan on ways to drop the value of the dollar relative to the yen. He reminded the delegation that when one considers the U.S. world-wide trade deficit of 123 billion, (including a $20 billion deficit with Canada, $17 billion with the West European Economic Community, $11 billion with Taiwan) the non-Japanese component is rising faster. The Japanese are aware of pressures in Congress to pass legislation to reduce the U.S. trade deficit. Indeed, bills have been introduced in both the House and Senate, and with 1986 as an election year, trade may be the most prominent issue facing Members. In agricultural trade with Japan, the U.S. enjoys an overwhelming surplus: U.S. Exports to Japan rose from $6.2 billion in 1983 to $6.9 billion in 1984, compared to Japanese exports to the U.S. of about $100 million annually. Japan buys about 20% of U.S. agricultural produce, of which corn is the leading import commodity. Japan buys 66 percent of U.S. citrus products (except oranges, which are a major domestic crop in Japan). Although the U.S. share of Japan's total agricultural imports has increased recently from 35% to 45%, this fraction could be reduced in 1986 due to Increasing international competition. Trade negotiators are working to Improve Japanese imports of California nuts and avocados. In response to a question about U.S. difficulty in expanding exports of wood and lumber products to Japan, Ambassador Mansfield explained that 60 percent of the Japanese people live on 2 percent of the land, so that there is potentially a great demand for new housing. One growing market that could help U.S. lumber exports is pre-fabricated housing, but in this area we face stiff competition from Canada. U.S. trade negotiators would like Japan to expand consumer housing Incentives. Currently, the commercial lending rate is 7%, the long-term bond rate is 6%, and consumer credit is in the range of 8 1/2% to 10%. However, personal home mortgages require down payments of 30-40% and have terms of 20 years. Thus, young people generally cannot afford the purchase of homes unless credit terms are made more attractive. In response to a question about U.S. participation in Japanese nuclear power plant construction, Ambassador Mansfield explained that the Japanese are building new plants themselves with technology licensed by U.S. firms. The goal is to have roughly 52 nuclear power plants completed by 1991. |