[2026 Parliamentary Audit] Humanoid Robot Performs Moonwalk at Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee

Calls for improved working conditions at government-funded research institutes at committee hearing
Research allowance reform to be implemented in the first half of next year “"”

A humanoid robot performing the moonwalk made famous by Michael Jackson drew attention as the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee held a parliamentary audit on October 20. Calls were also made to improve working conditions, including research allowances, at government-funded research institutes.

A KAIST humanoid robot enters the parliamentary audit venue after being introduced by Hwang Jeong-ah of the Democratic Party of Korea during the National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit of 54 institutions, including the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST), KAIST and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), at KAIST in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, on the 20th. Yonhap News Agency

The committee held an audit at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, targeting 54 institutions, including the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST), government-funded research institutes and KAIST. Hwang Jeong-ah, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea and a KAIST alumna, introduced the "Humanoid v0.7," developed by a team led by Park Haewon, a professor in KAIST's Department of Mechanical Engineering.

The silver-colored robot, about as tall as an adult man, walked naturally through the audit room and drew attention. When Hwang gave it a forceful push, saying, "It won't fall over even if you push it," the robot stayed upright and maintained its balance. As it left the room, it also performed the moonwalk to "Billie Jean," one of Michael Jackson's signature songs.

Calls to improve working conditions at government-funded research institutes were also made at the audit. Hwang said, "The rate of improvement in working conditions next year is 3.9%. It is the highest rate in more than a decade," but added, "Conditions were held back for nearly 10 years before that, so this level is merely enough to stop the bleeding." Song Giheon, chair of the committee, also called for securing research allowances for government-funded research institutes, saying, "Talent will only come if there is compensation that reflects people's abilities."

In response, Kim Youngsik, chairman of NST, said, "We are reviewing the matter comprehensively because research allowances at government-funded research institutes vary from one institution to another," adding, "Once the policy results are available, we plan to move forward through communication in line with them." He also said, "We commissioned a policy study, so we will probably be able to draw up an implementation plan in the first half of next year."

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