South Korean marine R&D faces shortage of advanced technology experts

Despite the expansion of marine research and development (R&D) into artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous navigation, and eco-friendly energy, South Korea faces a shortage of specialized personnel to support these emerging fields.

Data presented by Representative Moon Geum-ju during a National Assembly audit of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) revealed that 56.7% of the research and technical staff at the Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering (KRISO) are concentrated in traditional sectors such as shipbuilding, mechanical engineering, and marine systems.

While KRISO is reviewing new R&D projects for AI-based autonomous operations and eco-friendly propulsion for 2028–2029, the specific demand for specialized personnel remains unconfirmed. This lack of planning poses a risk to the timely execution of future research. Furthermore, the research budget per person at KRISO is approximately 395 million won, which is 31% higher than the National Research Council of Science and Technology (NST) average, suggesting a high workload for existing staff.

Representative Moon called for a five-year manpower expansion plan covering 2027–2031 to integrate recruitment, retraining, and industry-academic cooperation. She emphasized that new R&D projects must evaluate necessary personnel during the planning stage to ensure organizational readiness.