Super Quantum Computing, AI Humanoids... Launch of National Strategic Research Groups

Ministry of Science and ICT and NST Hold Official Launch Ceremony for "Global TOP Strategic Research Groups"
Announce Missions and Plans for Ten Research Groups

The large-scale convergence research project set to represent South Korea, the "Global TOP Strategic Research Group," has officially launched. On October 1, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST) publicly announced the missions and plans of ten newly selected strategic research groups for 2025, marking the start of a national research challenge involving industry, academia, and research institutes.

The Global TOP Strategic Research Group support program is a major national research and development (R&D) project, led by government-funded research institutes, that establishes an open collaborative system among industry, academia, and research organizations. Its goal is to fulfill national missions and achieve world-class results through large-scale convergence research.

To support this initiative, the government is restructuring its institutional and financial support systems, including the phased abolition of the Project-Based System (PBS) for research personnel costs and the introduction of the National Special Researcher System. Amid these changes, the Global TOP Strategic Research Group aims to redefine the core role of government-funded research institutes in carrying out national strategic missions and to deliver tangible achievements for the public in an era of technological hegemony.

The launch ceremony held in Seoul was attended by about 250 people, including officials from the Ministry of Science and ICT and NST, research group members, and members of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee. The event featured explanations of the background and objectives of the strategic research groups, presentations on the missions and goals of the ten research groups, and a commemorative ceremony to mark the launch.

The newly selected research groups this year cover ten fields targeting the nation’s future growth engines, including super quantum computing, carbon dioxide resource utilization, and AI humanoids. At the launch event, each group introduced the background and objectives of their research and presented strategies for addressing national challenges.

Subsequent presentations and discussions focused on the direction for government-funded research institutes to collaborate with industry and academia. Kim Myunghwan, head of the Next-Generation Secondary Battery Innovation Strategic Research Group launched last year and former president of LG Energy Solution, delivered a keynote speech emphasizing the importance of mission-driven research and collaboration strategies. Panelists included Yoon Siwoo, Vice President of the Korea Institute of Fusion Energy, Park Hanoh, Chairman of Bioneer, and Seo Hyungtak, professor at Ajou University, who discussed ways to cooperate in achieving national missions.

Lee Eunyoung, Director of Research Performance Innovation at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "The launch of the strategic research groups, where government-funded institutes and innovation leaders from industry and academia join forces to fulfill national missions, is highly meaningful. We will actively support researchers so they can take pride in and fully commit to their roles as members of Korea’s leading research groups." Kim Youngsik, Chairman of NST, also remarked, "We will continue to provide unwavering support across all R&D areas so that the strategic research groups can deliver research outcomes that the public can truly experience."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.