ACT ON THE HONORABLE TREATMENT OF AND SUPPORT FOR PERSONS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Act No. 13579, Dec. 22, 2015
Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul. 26, 2017
Act No. 15344, Jan. 16, 2018
The purpose of this Act is to contribute to creating a social environment in which the reputation and dignity of scientists and engineers are raised, and scientists and engineers are respected by treating with respect persons of distinguished service to science and technology, who have made a remarkable contribution to developing science and technology in the Republic of Korea, and by giving them support.
The terms used in this Act shall be defined as follows:
| 1. | The term "scientists and engineers" means persons who engage in research and development and/or technological innovations in natural science, engineering, etc., and/or in the interdisciplinary fusion of fields related thereto (hereinafter referred to as "science and technology field"), who are prescribed by Presidential Decree; |
| 2. | The term "person of distinguished service to science and technology" means a person, whose meritorious contributory achievements to the development of national science and technology is outstanding, who is designated as such pursuant to Article 7 (including a dead person; hereinafter the same shall apply); |
| 3. | The term "research institute, etc." means a university, a government-funded research institute, and a research institute affiliated with an enterprise, etc. that conducts research and development and technological innovations in the field of science and technology, which are prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 3 (Responsibilities of State) |
| (1) | The State shall endeavor to create a culture in which scientists and engineers who have rendered distinguished service to science and technology are treated with respect, and in which scientists and engineers are respected in society. |
| (2) | The State shall establish and promote plans to create an environment that continuously contributes to the development of science and technology, such as research and development in the field of science and technology, technological innovations, etc. and for support therefor. |
| Article 4 (Responsibilities of Persons of Distinguished Service to Science and Technology) |
| (1) | In striving for the development of science and technology, persons of distinguished service to science and technology shall endeavor to be a role model for other people. |
| (2) | Persons of distinguished service to science and technology shall not engage in any conduct that undermines the dignity of other persons of distinguished service to science and technology. |
| Article 5 (Formulation of Support Plans) |
| (1) | Every five years, the Minister of Science and ICT shall formulate a plan for the honorable treatment of and support for persons of distinguished service to science and technology (hereinafter referred to as "support plan"). <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| (2) | A support plan shall include the following: |
| 1. | Objectives of honorably treating and supporting persons of distinguished service to science and technology, and basic direction-setting for policies; |
| 2. | Principles and standards for designating persons of distinguished service to science and technology, honorably treating and supporting them; |
| 3. | Other matters necessary for honorably treating and supporting persons of distinguished service to science and technology. |
| (3) | The Minister of Science and ICT shall consult with the heads of related central administrative agencies and prepare a support plan, and determine the plan after deliberation by the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology under the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology Act (the same shall apply to amending the plan): Provided, That where minor matters prescribed by Presidential Decree are to be amended, this shall not apply. <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017; Act No. 15344, Jan. 16, 2018> |
| (4) | The Minister of Science and ICT shall formulate an annual implementation plan (hereinafter referred to as "implementation plan") pertaining to a support plan and implement the implementation plan. <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| (5) | Matters necessary for the formulation, implementation, etc. of support plans and implementation plans shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 6 (Fact-Finding Surveys) |
| (1) | In order to efficiently formulate and promote support plans and implementation plans, the Minister of Science and ICT may conduct a fact-finding survey on matters necessary for the identification and honorable treatment of, and support for persons of distinguished service to science and technology. <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| (2) | Where necessary for conducting a fact-finding survey under paragraph (1), the Minister of Science and ICT may request the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, local governments, research institute, etc. to submit necessary data; and persons in receipt of such request shall comply therewith, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| (3) | Matters necessary for the scope, methods, etc. of a fact-finding survey under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 7 (Designation as Persons of Distinguished Service to Science and Technology and Application Therefor) |
| (1) | The Minister of Science and ICT shall designate persons of distinguished service to science and technology from among the following persons after examination by a committee to examine the qualifications of applicants for the status of persons of distinguished service to science and technology under Article 8: <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| 1. | Persons who have contributed markedly to economic and social development by developing new technologies or by improving technologies; |
| 2. | Persons who make remarkable scientific accomplishments, such as those who have received a world-class award in science and technology, etc.; |
| 3. | Persons who have contributed markedly to a specific science and technology field through continuous research and development activities and technological innovations in such field; |
| 4. | Persons recognized by the Minister of Science and ICT as having contributed to the development of science and technology to a level equivalent to that of persons falling under subparagraphs 1 through 3. |
| (2) | A person who intends to be designated as a person of distinguished service to science and technology or the head of a science and technology-related organization who intends to recommend that a person be designated as a person of distinguished service to science and technology may file an application for an examination to determine whether he/she qualifies for designation as a person of distinguished service to science and technology with the Minister of Science and ICT: Provided, That in the case of a dead person, a bereaved family member may also file an application for designation of the dead person as a person of distinguished service to science and technology. <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| (3) | Matters concerning detailed standards for designation as a person of distinguished service to science and technology, designation procedures and methods, and the scope of bereaved family members shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 8 (Committee for Examining Qualifications of Applicants for Status of Persons of Distinguished Service to Science and Technology) |
| (1) | A committee for examining qualifications of applicants for the status of persons of distinguished service to science and technology (hereinafter referred to as "committee") shall be established under the Minister of Science and ICT to examine applicants to determine whether they qualify for designation as persons of distinguished service to science and technology. <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| (2) | The committee shall examine the following matters: |
| 1. | Matters concerning standards for designation as persons of distinguished service to science and technology, and methods of examination; |
| 2. | Matters concerning designation as persons of distinguished service to science and technology, and revocation of designation; |
| 3. | Other matters the chairperson deems necessary for the honorable treatment of and support for persons of distinguished service to science and technology. |
| (3) | The committee shall consist of not more than 15 members, including a chairperson. |
| (4) | Members shall be commissioned by the Minister of Science and ICT from among persons with abundant knowledge and experience in related fields; and a chairperson shall be elected from among members by mutual vote. <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| (5) | Other matters necessary for composition and operation of the committee shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 9 (Revocation of Designation as Persons of Distinguished Service to Science and Technology) |
| (1) | Where a person of distinguished service to science and technology falls under any of the following, the Minister of Science and ICT may revoke designation after deliberation by the committee: Provided, That where the person falls under subparagraph 1, the Minister shall revoke designation: <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| 1. | Where the person obtains designation by fraud or other improper means; |
| 2. | Where the person engages in any act that significantly undermines the dignity of other persons of distinguished service to science and technology. |
| (2) | Where the Minister of Science and ICT intends to revoke designation as a person of distinguished service to science and technology pursuant to paragraph (1), he/she shall hold a hearing. <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| (3) | Matters concerning detailed procedures necessary for revocation of designation as a person of distinguished service to science and technology, methods thereof, etc. shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 10 (Honorable Treatment of Persons of Distinguished Service to Science and Technology) |
The State and local governments may provide the following honorable treatment to persons of distinguished service to science and technology:
| 1. | Inducting them into the science and engineering hall of fame; |
| 2. | Invitation to science and technology-related events and respectful treatment of those invited; |
| 3. | According convenience, such as welfare facilities prescribed by Presidential Decree; |
| 4. | Publishing records of meritorious deeds of persons of distinguished service to science and technology, and publicizing accomplishments, such as important writings, dissertations, etc.; |
| 5. | Consultation on setting national policies on science and technology; |
| 6. | Preferential treatment in the immigration process; |
| 7. | Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 11 (Science and Engineering Hall of Fame) |
| (1) | In order to permanently commemorate and preserve the accomplishments of scientists and engineers, the Minister of Science and ICT shall establish and operate a science and engineering hall of fame. <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| (2) | Matters concerning the establishment and operation of a science and engineering hall of fame shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 12 (Granting Opportunities to Persons of Distinguished Service to Science and Technology) |
| (1) | In order to provide persons of distinguished service to science and technology with an opportunity to perform the following social activities, the government may subsidize their necessary expenses: |
| 1. | Scientific and technological research and study; |
| 2. | Starting a business and providing technical guidance and counseling to small and medium enterprises and venture businesses; |
| 3. | Providing counseling on the government’s science and technology policies; |
| 4. | Education and lectures on science and technology; |
| 5. | Writings and translations on science and technology; |
| 6. | Technological support for developing countries; |
| 7. | Other social activities by persons of distinguished service to science and technology as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (2) | Necessary matters regarding the activities under paragraph (1) qualified for support with expenses and scope thereof shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 13 (Preferential Treatment for Retiring Persons of Distinguished Service to Science and Technology) |
| (1) | The Government may encourage government-funded research institutes, etc. to actively promote the extending retirement age, post-retirement reemployment, etc. of persons of distinguished service to science and technology on a preferential basis, and formulate and advance necessary plans and promote such plans. |
| (2) | The Minister of Science and ICT may prepare guidelines for the selection of persons qualified for extension of retirement age, for standards, selection procedures, etc., and provide the guidelines to government-funded research institutes, etc. <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| Article 14 (Entrustment of Duties) |
| (1) | The Minister of Science and ICT may entrust science and technology-related institutions and organizations with some of his/her duties bestowed under this Act. <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
| (2) | The Minister of Science and ICT may render necessary support to institutions and organizations entrusted with the duties under paragraph (1). <Amended by Act No. 14839, Jul 26, 2017> |
ADDENDA
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force one year after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Applicability concerning Designation as Persons of Distinguished Service to Science and Technology)
Where subparagraph 2 of Article 2 and Article 7 apply to deceased persons, such application shall be limited to those who died after the government of the Republic of Korea was established. Article 3 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 14839, Jul. 26, 2017>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force on the date of its promulgation: Provided, That the amended provisions of the Acts, which were promulgated before this Act enters into force, but the date on which they are to enter into force, has not arrived yet, among the Acts amended pursuant to Article 5 of the Addenda, shall enter into force on the enforcement dates of such Acts, respectively.
Articles 2 through 6 Omitted.
ADDENDA <Act No. 15344, Jan. 16, 2018>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force three months after the date of its promulgation.
Articles 2 through 4 Omitted.