Gov't to spend 12.3 tln won on R&D in 2009

SEOUL, Nov. 25 (Yonhap) -- The government said Tuesday that it will spend 12.3 trillion won (US$8.3 billion) on research and development (R&D) in 2009 to bolster next-generation growth industries and eco-friendly technologies.

The total marks a 10.8 percent increase from 11.1 trillion won set aside for this
year, the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said.
The masterplan reached at the National Science and Technology Council chaired by
President Lee Myung-bak calls for 2.5 trillion won or 20.3 percent of the total
to be injected into R&D to cut carbon emissions and other "green" industry
promotion technologies.
Seoul has emphasized the need for eco-friendly technology development as a way to
ensure sustainable economic growth in the face of global warming and rising
environmental protection costs that are becoming a burden on governments and
industries.
The plan, meanwhile, outlines the allocation of 2.1 trillion won into aerospace,
nuclear and fusion energy and defense and 834.0 billion won for research to
prevent epidemics and development of industrial parts and materials.
Robotics, biotech and solar fuel cells are to get 842.1 billion won, while 281.3
billion won is to be spent on industrial design and contents.
The Ministry of Knowledge Economy will be the main recipient of funds being
responsible for 3.9 trillion won followed by the education and Defense
Acquisition Program Administration with 3.8 trillion won and 1.6 trillion won
respectively.