Gov't to increase R&D spending by more than 10 pct in 2010

By Lee Joon-seung
SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- South Korea will boost research and development
spending by more than 10 percent on-year in 2010 to enhance the country's overall
competitiveness in key technology sectors, the government said Friday.
The decision is expected to push up R&D spending by at least 1.2 trillion won
(US$899 million) next year from the 12.3 trillion won set aside for this year,
the National Science and Technology Council said.
The country's highest decision-making body on science and technology policies,
chaired by President Lee Myung-bak, said money will be allocated in five key
areas designed to fuel sustainable growth, enhance industrial competitiveness and
strengthen national research capabilities.
It also outlined support for basic sciences and public sector R&D, which includes
planning to deal with unexpected emergency situations such as epidemics.
"Details on allocation will be decided later this month or in May at the
financial strategy meeting," said an official at the Ministry of Education,
Science and Technology.
Talks are currently underway to iron out spending details, she added.
The ministry said next year's plan is an extension of a long-term R&D research
blueprint, which calls for the country's spending on science and technology to
reach 1.5 times outlays in 2008 by 2012.
Last year, Seoul spent 11.1 trillion won on state-supported research efforts,
with the total to top 16.6 trillion won at the end of the five year period.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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