S. Korea aims to become global leader in brain research by 2017

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, June 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea aims to become one of the top seven leaders
in brain research by 2017 as part of its effort to advance human health and
create new growth opportunities, the government said Tuesday.
The action plan calls for 61 billion won (US$48.2 million) to be used this year
to better understand how the brain functions, its cognitive processes and the
prevention and treatment of cerebral diseases and disorders, the Ministry of
Education, Science and Technology said.
As of 2007, the country ranked 13th after the United States, Japan, Germany
Britain, France, Canada, Italy, China and others. The country's overall
capability in this field was also below that of India and Brazil.
The ministry said support for the country's human brain research is vital as
people are living longer and run greater risk of suffering from neurological
disorders. A detailed understanding of how the brain works can help so-called
"bio convergence technologies," which have the potential to become a significant
economic growth engine, according to the ministry.
"Such efforts will require training of up to 10,000 experts in this field by the
target year that may create a 3 trillion won local market for related business
activities," an official said.
He said Seoul plans to inject roughly 1.5 trillion won in the coming year to help
scientists produce quality scientific papers and conduct experiments.
Seoul announced a 10-year brain research development program in late 2007 to
advance the country's technological proficiency in this field and allocated 49.3
billion won to conduct research and development in the following year.
Of the total to be spent this year, the education and science ministry will be
responsible for roughly 60 percent of all funds, with 43 percent of the money to
be used find treatment for neurological disorders.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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