Science and technology in South Korea has advanced throughout the decades. The advancement of science and technology has become an integral part of economic planning in South Korea.^[1] Fast-growing industries have created a massive demand for new and more advanced technologies.^[1] Additionally, Korean scientists propose that the advancement of science and technology in partnership with North Korea could help facilitate the peaceful reunification of North and South Korea.^[2]

In the pursuit of advancement, South Korea has taken a centralized approach.^[1] South Korea was ranked 5th in the Global Innovation Index in 2021.^[3] As of 2022, South Korea has the sixth largest private investment in artificial intelligence.^[4]

History

Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST)

The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies was established in 1966 and consists of 780 organizations as of 2012.^[2] The goals of the KOFST are to make the sharing of technology and research data between these societies easier and to encourage and facilitate the cooperation of Pacific Rim countries.^[2]

Aerospace Engineering

South Korea has sent up 10 satellites from 1992, all using foreign rockets and overseas launch pads, notably Arirang-1 in 1999, and Arirang-2 in 2006 as part of its space partnership with Russia.^[5] Arirang-1 was lost in space in 2008, after nine years in service.^[6]

In April 2008, Yi So-yeon became the first Korean to fly in space, aboard the Russian Soyuz TMA-12.^[7][8]

In June 2009, the first spaceport of South Korea, Naro Space Center, was completed at Goheung, South Jeolla Province.^[9] The launch of Naro-1 in August 2009 resulted in a failure.^[10] The second attempt in June 2010 was also unsuccessful.^[11] However, the third launch of the Naro 1 in January 2013 was successful.^[12] The government plans to develop Naro-2 by the year 2018.^[13]

Companies involved in the aerospace and defense markets of South Korea are primarily large multinational companies.^[14] These large companies have been further strengthened by a push towards consolidation in the market.^[14] This results in a difficulty for newer companies to enter the South Korean aerospace market.^[14]

With the final successful launch of the Nuri, which South Korea launched for the third time in 2023, South Korea has become the seventh country in the world to have a medium-sized liquid-propellant rocket engine over 75 tons.^[15]

Two years after South Korea officially expressed its intention to join Horizon Europe in 2022, South Korea and the European Union signed a Horizon Europe agreement, which is expected to allow Korea to participate in that from 2025.^[16]

Defense Technology

Due to the growing perceived threat of North Korea, South Korea is increasing defense spending.^[14] In 2019, South Korea is expected to increase spending by the largest amount in 11 years.^[14]

Hanwha Techwin is a leading South Korean company manufacturing defense products, security devices, engines, digital solutions, and integrated control systems in South Korea.^[14] Hanwha Techwin produces video recorders, surveillance software, access control products, and intelligent machinery and solutions.^[14]

Biotechnology

Since the 1980s, the South Korean government has invested in the development of a domestic biotechnology industry, and the sector is projected to grow to $6.5 billion by 2010.^[17] The medical sector accounts for a large part of the production, including production of hepatitis vaccines and antibiotics.

Recently, research and development in genetics and cloning has received increasing attention, with the first successful cloning of a dog, Snuppy (in 2005), and the cloning of two females of an endangered species of wolves by the Seoul National University in 2007.^[18]

The rapid growth of the industry has resulted in significant voids in regulation of ethics, as was highlighted by the scientific misconduct case involving Hwang Woo-Suk.^[19]

Robotics

Robotics has been included in the list of main national R&D projects in South Korea since 2003.^[20] In 2009, the government announced plans to build robot-themed parks in Incheon and Masan with a mix of public and private funding.^[21]

In 2005, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) developed the world's second walking humanoid robot, HUBO. A team in the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology developed the first South Korean android, EveR-1 in May 2006.^[22] EveR-1 has been succeeded by more complex models with improved movement and vision.^[23][24]

Plans of creating English-teaching robot assistants to compensate for the shortage of teachers were announced in February 2010, with the robots being deployed to most preschools and kindergartens by 2013.^[25] Robotics are also incorporated in the entertainment sector as well; the Korean Robot Game Festival has been held every year since 2004 to promote science and robot technology.^[26]

International Science Olympiads

Performance of South Korean students in International Science Olympiads

• South Korea's rank based on number of Gold Medals in last 10 years(2014-2023):
  • Physics - 2-nd
  • Chemistry -6-th
  • Biology - 6-th
  • Mathematics - 3-rd

Cooperation with other countries

European Union

South Korea is the first country in Asia to participate in Horizon Europe, the world's largest multilateral research and innovation program.^[27]