Gov't launches science committee for green growth

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- The government set up a new science committee
Wednesday to spearhead the development of green technologies as the country seeks
a new economic engine to help weather the current global economic crisis and
ensure future growth.

The committee will work as a dialogue channel between the special presidential
council on green growth and the country's science sector, the presidential office
Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.
"The key to achieving low-carbon, green growth is developing new technologies and
that is why the role of our science sector has become more important than ever,"
said Park Chan-mo, a special aide to the president for science and technology.
The consultative body will consist of 39 representatives from various fields of
science, including industrial and academic institutions, and government
officials.
Seoul plans to increase its investment in research and development by 10 percent
every year until 2012 when the amount spent on technology development will reach
5 percent of gross domestic product.
President Lee Myung-bak said Tuesday that developing new, indigenous technologies
is the key to overcoming the ongoing economic downturn, as well as securing the
country's future competitiveness.
"Though we are producing the world's best-selling products, we are paying large
amounts of money to foreign nations for use of their technology because of our
lack of indigenous technologies," the president said in a speech marking the
National Day of Science.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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