Gov't R&D program generated 30.7 tln won of economic benefits: report

SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's government-led research and development program has generated 30.7 trillion won (US$21.3 billion) worth of direct economic benefits in the past decade a evaluation report said Tuesday.

The Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) claimed in its input, output
and impact analysis report that 16 main projects helped create 490,000 new jobs
through infrastructure construction, training and hiring of scientists and gains
in industrial production.
The state-run institute also said the overall results exceeded the 1,4 trillion
won injected into R&D work from 1999 through this year.
The 21st Century Frontier Research and Development Program supported projects in
biotechnology, clean energy, nano-materials and next generation superconducting
materials.
Work began on two projects in 1999 with 2-3 works being started in the successive
years. The 10-year-long support is expected to end 2013.
STEPI said of the direct economic benefits that include the selling of technology
and manufacturing knowhow, 16.9 trillion won came from the development of the
next NAND Flash Memory device. The new memory device is expected to be mass
produced within three years and help the country maintain its edge in computer
memory chips fields.
Other breakthroughs are the development of the superconducting cables, and
advances in local engineering and scientific knowledge in environmental
protection, energy and bio-medical technologies.
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, which overseas the project
said it is currently examining follow-up programs that can fuel sustained
advances. Public hearings and meeting by experts are expected to take place in
the first half of 2009.
yonngong@yna.co.kr