South Korea launches regional autonomous R&D initiative

South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT has launched the ‘4-Pole 3-Special Regional Autonomous R&D Project,’ shifting from a centralized, top-down research model to a regional block-funding system. The initiative aims to allow regions to directly select and invest in technologies that meet their specific industrial and scientific needs.

A total of 78.9 billion won will be invested across seven regional zones this year. The project focuses on 18 priority technology areas. The four major poles include the Central region (Daejeon, Sejong, Chungbuk, Chungnam), Honam region (Gwangju, Jeonnam), Daegyeong region (Daegu, Gyeongbuk), and Southeast region (Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam). The three special zones consist of Gangwon, Jeonbuk, and Jeju.

Key technological focuses include semiconductors, advanced bio, mobility, AI, robotics, and renewable energy. Major science and technology institutes, such as KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST, will lead the project groups to manage planning, research, and commercialization. The government aims to establish a science-based regional growth model by 2030.