CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the development of the national economy and national security by fostering national strategic technology of great national importance, thus promoting the development of future new industries and establishing the sovereignty in science and technology.
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows:
| 1. | The term "national strategic technology" means a technology selected pursuant to Article 8 (1), as it is deemed to have a strategic importance in in terms of diplomacy and security, has a substantial impact on the national economy and related industries, and serves as the foundation for future innovation, such as creation of new technology and new industries.; |
| 2. | The term “technology fostering entity” means any of the following persons who researches, manages, retains national strategic technology, or runs a business related thereto: |
| (a) | A business operator that runs a business related to national strategic technology; |
| (d) | National and public research institutes; |
| (g) | The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology established under the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Act, the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology established under the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Act, the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology established under the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology Act, and the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology established under the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology Act; |
| (i) | Other institutions, organizations or business operators prescribed by Presidential Decree; |
| 3. | The term "national strategic technology research and development program" means a project for which a central administrative agency provides a budget or funds for national strategic technology-related research and development under statutes or regulations, designated pursuant to Article 11 (1); |
| 4. | The term “national strategic technology research and development project” means a project determined by the head of the competent central administrative agency in order to promote a national strategic technology research and development program. |
| Article 3 (Responsibilities of the State and Local Governments) |
| (1) | The State and a local government shall formulate policy measures for laying a foundation for research and development and protecting relevant technology and shall draw up schemes for administrative and financial support necessary for the promotion thereof, in order to secure national strategic technology and strengthen the competitiveness thereof. |
| (2) | The State and a local government shall endeavor to ease or abolish unnecessary regulations hindering technological innovation and the creation of new industries in connection with the fostering of national strategic technology to better respond to changing environments at home and abroad. |
| (3) | Universities, research institutes, etc. that conduct research and development of national strategic technology shall endeavor to train excellent human resources in national strategic technology and develop national strategic technology. |
| (4) | Any enterprise that conducts research and development of national strategic technology shall endeavor to secure national strategic technology and to diffuse the outcomes of research and development through its active cooperation with universities and research institutes. |
| Article 4 (Relationship to Other Statutes) |
| (1) | This Act shall take precedence over other statutes regarding the fostering of national strategic technology: Provided, That if the application of any other statute is more favorable to a technology fostering entity with respect to promoting a national strategic technology research and development program, laying a foundation for the fostering of national strategic technology, and training human resources for national strategic technology, such statute shall apply. |
CHAPTER II SYSTEM FOR FOSTERING NATIONAL STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY
| Article 5 (Formulation of Master Plan for Fostering National Strategic Technology) |
| (1) | The Government shall formulate a five-year master plan for the fostering and protection of national strategic technology (hereinafter referred to as "master plan") for the efficient fostering of and support for national strategic technology. |
| (2) | A master plan shall include the following: |
| 1. | Basic direction-setting for the fostering and management of national strategic technology; |
| 2. | Selection of national strategic technology and analysis of the domestic and international environments; |
| 3. | Goal-setting for fostering national strategic technology, and methods for examining and evaluating the implementation thereof; |
| 4. | Matters concerning integration and coordination of direction-setting for fostering national strategic technology and interconnection and cooperation among related central administrative agencies; |
| 5. | Matters concerning promoting research and development of national strategic technology, expanding investment in such technology, and managing and disseminating the outcomes of research; |
| 6. | Matters concerning laying a foundation for the systematic fostering of national strategic technology; |
| 7. | Matters concerning the invigoration of industry-academia-research cooperation on national strategic technology; |
| 8. | Matters concerning international cooperation related to national strategic technology; |
| 9. | Any other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree, which are necessary to foster national strategic technology. |
| (3) | A master plan shall be formulated by the Minister of Science and ICT in consultation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies and be finalized after deliberation by the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as the "Advisory Council on Science and Technology") under the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology Act. |
| (4) | Where necessary to modify a master plan due to rapid changes, etc. in the environment at home and abroad, the Minister of Science and ICT may do so after deliberation by the Advisory Council on Science and Technology: Provided, That deliberations by the Advisory Council on Science and Technology may be omitted for any modification to insignificant matters prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (5) | Other matters necessary for the formulation, etc. of a master plan shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 6 (Relationship to Other Plans) |
A master plan shall be in harmony with the following plans:
| 6. | A master plan for civil-military technological cooperation projects under Article 4 of the Civilian-Military Technology Cooperation Projects Promotion Act; |
| 11. | Any other plan prescribed by Presidential Decree, which is closely related to national strategic technology. |
| Article 7 (Formulation of Implementation Plans) |
| (1) | The Minister of Science and ICT shall formulate and implement a detailed implementation plan (hereinafter referred to as "implementation plan") for each national strategic technology area in accordance with a master plan every year. |
| (2) | Implementation plans shall include an action plan of each competent central administrative agency concerning technical tasks, mid- and long-term attainable targets, schedule of execution, etc. prepared by classification of such agencies. |
| (3) | The Minister of Science and ICT shall report the performance of the implementation plan for the previous year and the implementation plan for the following year to the Advisory Council on Science and Technology every year. |
| (4) | Other matters necessary for the formulation, implementation, etc. of the master plan and implementation plan shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 8 (Selection and Management of National Strategic Technology) |
| (1) | The Minister of Science and ICT may select national strategic technology after consultation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies and deliberation by the Advisory Council on Science and Technology. |
| (2) | When the Minister of Science and ICT selects national strategic technology pursuant to paragraph (1), he or she shall take into consideration the following: |
| 1. | Effects on the national economy and related industries; |
| 2. | Possibility of strategic utilization for diplomacy, trade and national security; |
| 3. | Degree of contribution to creating new technologies and new industries; |
| 4. | Domestic and international patent and technology trends in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 5. | Other matters necessary for fostering national strategic technology prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (3) | Where necessary to change, or cancel the selection of, national strategic technology, the Minister of Science and ICT may change or cancel the selection thereof after consultation with the head of a relevant central administrative agency and deliberation by the Advisory Council on Science and Technology. |
| (4) | Where necessary for the selection or change of national strategic technology, or cancellation of such selection, the Minister of Science and ICT may request the heads of relevant central administrative agencies and the heads of local governments to submit relevant data. In such cases, a person requested to submit data shall comply with such request unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. |
| (5) | Where the Minister of Science and ICT selects national strategic technology under paragraph (1) or changes, or cancels the selection of, national strategic technology under paragraph (3), he or she shall publicly notify such fact. |
| (6) | Procedures for selecting national strategic technology under paragraph (1), procedures for changing such technology and canceling the selection thereof under paragraph (3), and other matters necessary for the selection and management of national strategic technology shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 9 (Application for Verification of National Strategic Technology) |
| (1) | A technology fostering entity may file an application with the Minister of Science and ICT for verification as to whether technology in its possession and under its management or which is under research and development constitutes a national strategic technology. |
| (2) | Matters concerning the procedures for and methods of verification under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 10 (Designation and Operation of Supporting Institution for National Strategic Technology Policy) |
| (1) | The Minister of Science and ICT may designate a supporting institution for national strategic technology policy (hereinafter referred to as "policy center") that takes full charge of the following affairs to efficiently formulate, coordinate, etc. a policy for fostering national strategic technology: |
| 1. | Support for surveying and analyzing the current status of national strategic technology, including cases of domestic and international policies on technology and industry; |
| 2. | Support for business affairs concerning the selection, change, and cancellation of the selection of national strategic technology; |
| 3. | Support for the formulation and implementation of a master plan and the analysis thereof; |
| 4. | Support for business affairs concerning exchanges, public-private cooperation, international cooperation, etc. between domestic and international institutions relating to national strategic technology; |
| 5. | Other matters concerning support for formulating, executing, and coordinating national strategic technology policies. |
| (2) | The Minister of Science and ICT?may subsidize all or part of the expenses necessary for performing the affairs under the subparagraphs of paragraph (1). |
| (3) | The Minister of Science and ICT may revoke the designation of the policy center in any of the following cases: Provided, That in cases falling under subparagraph 1, the designation shall be revoked: |
| 1. | Where such policy center is designated by fraud or other improper means; |
| 2. | Where such policy center ceases to meet the requirements for designation; |
| 3. | Where it becomes significantly unjust for it to perform business affairs as a policy center due to other circumstances. |
| (4) | Matters necessary for the requirements, procedures for, cancellation, etc. of, designation of a policy center shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
CHAPTER III PROMOTION OF NATIONAL STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
| Article 11 (Designation and Promotion of National Strategic Technology Research and Development Programs) |
| (1) | The Minister of Science and ICT may designate a national strategic technology research and development program (hereinafter referred to as "strategic research program") among national research and development programs, considering the following matters, in order to efficiently execute the master plan and implementation plan: |
| 1. | Whether the project is in conformity with the master plan and implementation plan; |
| 2. | Whether a system for an assignment-centric research and development program (referring to a research and development program to specify assignments to address national challenges and to complete the assignments within a specified time frame, and a system to execute such project) is established; |
| 3. | Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree as necessary to designate strategic research programs. |
| (2) | The head of a central administrative agency shall endeavor to preferentially secure financial resources necessary for promoting strategic research programs. |
| (3) | Where the head of a central administrative agency submits his or her opinions on the investment priority of national research and development programs pursuant to Article 12-2 (1) of the Framework Act on Science and Technology, he or she shall endeavor to ensure that the projects executed as strategic research programs are preferentially reflected. |
| (5) | Strategic research programs to be utilized for military purposes in consideration of the peculiarity of defense research and development shall be executed as defense research and development programs under the Act on the Promotion of National Defense Science and Technology Innovation. |
| (6) | Other necessary matters for the designation and execution of strategic research programs shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 12 (Special Cases concerning Strategic Research Programs) |
| (1) | Where the head of a central administrative agency conducts strategic research programs which have a significant effect on national security, society or economy, he or she may select a research and development project for national strategic technology (hereinafter referred to as "strategic research project") and research and development institute to perform such project by any means other than a public contest pursuant to the proviso of Article 9 (4) of the National Research and Development Innovation Act. |
| (2) | Where the head of a central administrative agency deems it necessary to secure national strategic technology as a strategic research project of which the results of a final evaluation are excellent among the strategic research projects under his or her jurisdiction, he or she may provide additional support, such as linkage to subsequent research and development projects pursuant to Article 12 (3) of the National Research and Development Innovation Act. |
| (3) | Notwithstanding Article 13 of the National Research and Development Innovation Act and other statutes, the head of a central administrative agency may apply government-funded research and development expenses, rate of cash allotment, etc. differently, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, in order to reduce the burden of research and development institutes participating in strategic research programs. |
| (4) | Where a research and development outcomes-owning institute collects royalties or directly conducts research and development outcomes of its own under Article 18 (2) of the National Research and Development Innovation Act when it comes to strategic research programs, the head of a central administrative agency may reduce or exempt all or some of the amount paid pursuant to paragraph (4) of that Article. |
| Article 13 (Dissemination of Outcomes of Research and Development of National Strategic Technology) |
| (1) | The Government shall promote policy measures for research and development in the field of national strategic technology and for its diffusion so that the outcomes of research and development in the field of national strategic technology can be smoothly linked to business startup, commercialization, etc. |
| (2) | In order to encourage business startup utilizing the outcomes of research and development in the field of national strategic technology, the the head of a central administrative agency may provide support through the fund of funds for venture investment established under Article 70 of the Venture Investment Promotion Act in consultation with the Minister of SMEs and Startups. |
| (3) | The fund for support under paragraph (2) shall be created with the following financial resources: |
| 2. | Investment by a person, other than the State, a local government, or a public institution, who wishes to invest in the fund of funds for venture investment in connection with strategic industries, etc.; |
| 3. | Other incidental income. |
| (4) | In order to facilitate the dissemination of outstanding research outcomes generated from strategic research programs, the head of a central administrative agency may conduct strategic research projects or strategic research projects by providing support for the development of technology, demonstration and commercialization in collaboration and cooperation with the heads of relevant central administrative agencies, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (5) | The Government shall take policy measures to facilitate the utilization of products to which national strategic technology is applied, and endeavor to support public procurement by designating products to which national strategic technology is applied as innovative products under Article 27 of the Government Procurement Act. |
| (6) | The head of a public institution shall endeavor to facilitate the purchase of products or goods , services, or construction works to which national strategic technology is applied. |
| (7) | The head of a central administrative agency may designate a dedicated agency that performs the following projects and fully or partially subsidize necessary expenses in order to facilitate the utilization of the outcomes of research and development of national strategic technology under his or her jurisdiction: |
| 1. | Integrated management and provision of information on promising technologies for commercialization in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 2. | Supply of tailored technical information to the demand of enterprises in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 3. | Dissemination of the outcomes of strategic research programs, and support for technology transfer and commercialization; |
| 4. | Mediation between enterprises in demand of technology and technology supplier institutions; |
| 5. | Support for technology start-ups using national strategic technology; |
| 6. | Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree concerning the facilitation of utilization of the outcomes of strategic research programs. |
| (8) | The head of a central administrative agency may revoke the designation of a dedicated agency or issue a correction order, if a dedicated institution under paragraph (7) falls under any of the following subparagraphs: Provided, That in cases falling under subparagraph 1, he or she shall revoke its designation: |
| 1. | Where such agency is designated by fraud or other improper means; |
| 2. | Where it becomes significantly unjust for it to perform business affairs as a dedicated agency due to other circumstances. |
| (9) | The Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office may provide the following support with regards to outcomes of strategic research programs: |
| 1. | Preferential examination of patent applications as prescribed by the Patent Act; |
| 2. | Support for facilitating applications for, and management of, intellectual property rights and transactions and commercialization thereof; |
| 3. | Support for technology protection and response to disputes over intellectual property. |
| (10) | Matters necessary for the fund of funds for venture investment under paragraph (2), requirements and procedures for the designation of a dedicated agency under paragraph (7), and revocation of designation, corrective orders, etc. under paragraph (8) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
CHAPTER IV ESTABLISHMENT OF FOUNDATION FOR FOSTERING NATIONAL STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY
| Article 14 (Management of Knowledge and Information Related to National Strategic Technology) |
| (1) | The Minister of Science and ICT shall comprehensively and systematically manage knowledge and information on national strategic technology and strategic research programs. |
| (2) | The Minister of Science and ICT shall ensure that knowledge and information on national strategic technology managed under paragraph (1) are managed and distributed in accordance with the policy measures on management and distribution of knowledge and information on science and technology under Article 26 of the Framework Act on Science and Technology unless it is deemed that the disclosure of such knowledge and information is impracticable for strategic reasons of diplomacy, trade, national security. |
| (3) | Matters necessary for the scope of and methods and procedures for knowledge and information under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 15 (Survey and Analysis of Current Status of National Strategic Technology) |
| (1) | The head of a central administrative agency shall survey and analyze the current status of domestic and overseas investment, technological levels, major accomplishments, the scale of relevant industries and industrial-related effects, patent and international standards analysis, trends in the exportation and importation of major goods, etc. in connection with national strategic technology for the efficient development of and support for national strategic technology. |
| (2) | In order to swiftly understand, analyze, and utilize international technical trends on national strategic technology, the Commissioner of the Korean Intellectual Property Office shall analyze domestic and overseas patent trends related to national strategic technology and report thereon to the Advisory Council on Science and Technology each year. |
| (3) | The head of a central administrative agency may conduct strategic investigation and analysis of intellectual property rights, such as patents, in order to prevent overlapping investment in strategic research programs and efficiently promote such projects; Provided, That strategic research and analysis on intellectual property rights, such as patents, shall be conducted for the technology determined and publicly notified by the Minister of Science and ICT. |
| (4) | Matters regarding the methods and procedures for surveying and analyzing the current status under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 16 (Conduct of Pilot Projects) |
| (1) | If deemed necessary for the following matters, the head of a central administrative agency may implement a pilot project: |
| 1. | Demonstration of national strategic technology and related services; |
| 2. | Search of cases of utilizing national strategic technology and related services; |
| 3. | Invigoration of the distribution of products and services converged with national strategic technology. |
| (2) | The State and a local government may assist in the establishment and operation of a testbed for demonstration and standardization of outcomes of research and development in strategic research programs. |
| (3) | Matters necessary for the conduct of pilot projects referred to in paragraph (1) and the establishment and operation of test beds referred to in paragraph (2) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 17 (Promotion of Standardization) |
The head of a central administrative agency may execute the following projects related to domestic and overseas standardization in order to develop, transfer, and diffuse national strategic technology and to invigorate industry: Provided, That where the Korean Industrial Standards prescribed in the Industrial Standardization Act are in place, the Korean Industrial Standards shall apply to such standards, and where the Korean Industrial Standards are to be enacted or amended, that Act shall apply: | 1. | Enactment, amendment, and repeal of the standards in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 2. | Research, development, distribution, and diffusion of standards in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 3. | Fostering and international exchange of human resources related to standards in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 4. | Support for activities of international standards organizations in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 5. | Support for the creation of a standard patent in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 6. | Other projects prescribed by Presidential Decree in relation to the standardization of national strategic technology. |
| Article 18 (Research Institutes Specialized in National Strategic Technology) |
| (1) | The head of a central administrative agency may designate any of the following institutes or a research institute established and operated by such institute as a research institute specialized in national strategic technology (hereinafter referred to as "specialized research institute") in order to foster and secure national strategic technology and human resources: |
| 2. | The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology established under the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Act, the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology established under the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Act, the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology established under the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology Act, and the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology established under the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology Act; |
| 5. | Other institutions prescribed by Presidential Decree as necessary to be designated as a specialized research institute. |
| (2) | The specialized research institute shall perform the following functions: |
| 1. | Research and development related to national strategic technology; |
| 2. | Fostering human resources related to national strategic technology and cooperation with technology fostering entities; |
| 3. | International cooperation related to national strategic technology; |
| 4. | Other matters prescribed by Presidential Decree for fostering and securing national strategic technology and human resources. |
| (3) | The head of a central administrative agency may fully or partially subsidize the operation of a specialized research institute and its conduct of projects within the budget. |
| (4) | The head of a central administrative agency may revoke the designation of a specialized institute or issue a correction order, if it falls under any of the following subparagraphs: Provided, That in cases falling under subparagraph 1, he or she shall revoke its designation: |
| 1. | Where such institute is designated by fraud or other improper means; |
| 2. | Where such institute ceases to meet the requirements for designation of specialized institutes; |
| 3. | Where such institute uses subsidies provided under paragraph (3) for a purpose other than the intended purpose. |
| (5) | Requirements for the designation of a specialized research institute under paragraph (1), the revocation of the designation of a specialized research institute and the issuance of an order to take corrective measures under paragraph (4), and other matters necessary for the operation of a specialized research institute and support therefor shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 19 (Joint Corporate Research Institutes) |
| (1) | In order to facilitate the prompt fostering and securing of national strategic technology and the efficient transfer of the outcomes of research and development related thereto into industries and utilization thereof by industries, the head of a central administrative agency may support the establishment of a joint corporate research institute incorporated and operated by the following institutions and enterprises: |
| 2. | The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology established under the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Act, the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology established under the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Act, the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology established under the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology Act, and the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology established under the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology Act; |
| 5. | Other institutes prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (2) | The enterprises eligible to incorporate a joint research institute pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be as follows: |
| 3. | Other enterprises prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (3) | Other matters necessary for incorporating and operating a joint corporate research institute shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 20 (Facilitation of Challenging Research and Development) |
| (1) | The Government shall establish a support and management system necessary for facilitating research and development based on clear assignments to achieve targets which are highly likely to fail but have a large ripple effect upon success (hereinafter referred to as “challenging research and development"), in order to secure innovative national strategic technology. |
| (2) | If deemed necessary to facilitate challenging research and development for securing national strategic technology, the head of a central administrative agency may designate an institute dedicated to performing affairs such as planning, selection, management, and evaluation of the research and development programs or the research and development projects (hereinafter referred to as "agency dedicated to challenging research and development"). |
| (3) | An agency dedicated to challenging research and development may appoint a general project manager who exclusively performs planning and management affairs to meet a challenge of securing national strategic technology. In such cases, an agency dedicated to challenging research and development shall set up a system to guarantee the independence and autonomy of the business affairs of a general project manager. |
| (4) | The Government shall draw up schemes for providing administrative and financial support necessary for ensuring autonomous and efficient research and development of an agency dedicated to challenging research and development, and may subsidize such agency for expenses incurred in operating the agency dedicated to challenging research and development. |
| (5) | Matters necessary for the designation, operation, etc. of an agency dedicated to challenging research and development shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 21 (Composition and Operation of Local Technological Innovation Hub) |
| (1) | The head of a local government may establish a local technology innovation hub for national strategic technology (hereinafter referred to as "local technology innovation hub"), in which the technology fostering entities jointly participate, in order to create a research ecosystem of national strategic technology and expand innovation infrastructure linked to local industries. |
| (2) | A local technology innovation hub shall perform the following functions: |
| 1. | Research related to national strategic technology, and linkage and cooperation among technology fostering entities; |
| 2. | Development of original technology related to national strategic technology through interconnection and cooperation among technology fostering entities; |
| 3. | Support for the transfer, commodification, and commercialization of national strategic technology; |
| 4. | Support for technological verification of national strategic technology; |
| 5. | Establishment and operation of joint research and development facilities and demonstration facilities related to national strategic technology; |
| 6. | Technological support for small and medium enterprises and middle-standing enterprises in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 7. | Other functions prescribed by Presidential Decree for the development of an area in which a local technology innovation hub is located. |
| (3) | The Government may fully or partially subsidize a local technology innovation hub for its operation. |
| (4) | Other matters necessary for the composition and operation of a local technology innovation hub shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 22 (Support for Innovation of Enterprises Conducting Research on National Strategic Technology) |
| (1) | The head of a central administrative agency may cooperate with industries to support the research and development of national strategic technology and innovative activities of enterprises, and collect industrial opinions and reflect them in the relevant policy measure, if deemed reasonable. |
CHAPTER V TRAINING OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN NATIONAL STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY
| Article 23 (Training of Human Resources in Field of National Strategic Technology) |
| (1) | The State and a local government shall devise policy measures for training and securing human resources in the field of national strategic technology, and endeavor to foster research personnel and create a stable research environment. |
| (2) | The State and a local government may give preferential treatment, such as the payment of research grants, to research personnel who have made excellent research achievements in national strategic technology in order to foster national strategic technology and train human resources. |
| (3) | The head of a central administrative agency may plan and execute projects so that strategic research programs may contribute to training human resources in the field of national strategic technology. |
| (4) | The head of a central administrative agency may support the following projects executed by industrial circles, colleges, research institutes, etc. in order to systematically foster human resources in the field of national strategic technology: Provided, That where a project support falls under Article 7-2 (3) of the Higher Education Act, it shall be subject to consultation with the Minister of Education: |
| 1. | Education and training for training human resources in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 2. | Fostering of human resources in response to the demand of the enterprises related to national strategic technology; |
| 3. | Development of the training curricula and contents for human resources in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 4. | Support for the career development of human resources in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 5. | Training courses linked to employment by enterprises with demand for hiring; |
| 6. | Other projects prescribed by Presidential Decree as necessary for training human resources in the field of national strategic technology. |
| (5) | The head of a central administrative agency may designate an institution dedicated to supporting the implementation of the projects provided in paragraph (4). |
| (6) | The head of a central administrative agency may fully or partially subsidize a dedicated agency for expenses incurred in the execution of the projects under paragraph (5). |
| (7) | The head of a central administrative agency may revoke the designation of a dedicated agency or issue a correction order, if a dedicated institution under paragraph (5) falls under any of the following subparagraphs: Provided, That in cases falling under subparagraph 1, he or she shall revoke its designation: |
| 1. | Where it is designated by fraud or other improper means; |
| 2. | Where it ceases to meet the requirements for designation thereof; |
| 3. | Where it fails to execute a project for training professional human resources continuously for at least one year without good cause or fails to support the implementation of the relevant project. |
| (8) | Matters necessary for the business affairs, requirements, and procedures for designation of a dedicated agency under paragraph (5), and for the revocation of designation of a dedicated agency, corrective orders, etc. under paragraph (7) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 24 (Survey of Trends in Supply of and Demand for Human Resources in Field of National Strategic Technology) |
| (1) | The Government may conduct surveys on the trends in the supply of and demand for human resources in the field of national strategic technology. |
| (2) | The Government may conduct a fact-finding survey on professional human resources in cooperation with overseas institutions to secure and utilize overseas professional human resources related to national strategic technology. |
| (3) | The Government may build database systems to efficiently utilize and manage information on the human resources in national strategic technology under paragraphs (1) and (2). |
| Article 25 (Educational Institutions Specialized in National Strategic Technology) |
| (1) | For the systematic training of human resources in the field of national strategic technology and the career development of outstanding human resources, the Minister of Science and ICT may designate the following institutes as an educational institution specialized in national strategic technology (hereinafter referred to as "specialized educational institution"): |
| 1. | The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology under the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Act, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology under the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Act, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology under the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology Act, and Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology under the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology Act; |
| 3. | Other institutions prescribed by Presidential Decree as necessary to be designated as a specialized educational institution. |
| (2) | The head of an institution designated as a specialized educational institution (hereinafter referred to as "head of a specialized educational institution") shall reflect a master plan in determining the departments, majors, subjects, fixed number of students, etc. by degree course. |
| (3) | The head of a specialized educational institution may establish specialized graduate schools in the field of national strategic technology or establish degree courses jointly operated with enterprises: Provided, That where a university under paragraph (1) 2 intends to establish and operate a graduate school specialized in the field of national strategic technology, it shall be governed by the Higher Education Act. |
| (4) | The Minister of Science and ICT may revoke the designation of a specialized institution or issue a correction order, if it falls under any of the following cases: Provided, That in cases falling under subparagraph 1, he or she shall revoke its designation: |
| 1. | Where it is designated by fraud or other improper means; |
| 2. | Where it fails to meet the requirements for designation prescribed by Presidential Decree for at least three consecutive months; |
| 3. | Where it has no record of providing education for at least one year from the date of designation as an educational institution. |
| (5) | The Minister of Science and ICT may contribute to or subsidize a specialized educational institution for expenses incurred in its operation and in performing the relevant projects. |
| (6) | Requirements for the designation of specialized educational institutions under paragraph (1), the revocation of designation thereof, and corrective orders under paragraph (4), and other matters necessary for the operation of specialized educational institutions shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 26 (Attraction of Excellent Overseas Human Resources) |
| (1) | The head of a central administrative agency may implement measures necessary for attracting excellent overseas human resources related to national strategic technology. |
| (2) | Policy measures provided in paragraph (1) shall include the following: |
| 1. | Easing of the requirements for issuance of visas; |
| 2. | Easing of procedures for immigration; |
| 3. | Improvement of working conditions and treatment; |
| 4. | Establishment of a government-wide promotion system; |
| 5. | Other support necessary for searching for, and fostering, excellent overseas human resources. |
| (3) | Notwithstanding Articles 8 and 10 of the Immigration Act, the Minister of Justice may prescribe different procedures for the issuance of visas to overseas excellent foreign human resources in the field of national strategic technology and the maximum period of sojourn for each status of sojourn, which may be granted on each occasion, after consultation with the head of the relevant central administrative agency. |
CHAPTER VI PROTECTION OF NATIONAL STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY AND STRENGTHENING OF COOPERATION
| Article 27 (Protection of Information on National Strategic Technology and Security) |
| (1) | The State, a local government, and a technology fostering entity shall take measures necessary for securing human resources and equipment required for the protection of information, preventing leakage of information, etc. so as not to adversely affect national security and the national economy due to any leakage of information possessed in relation to national strategic technology. |
| (2) | Where a technology fostering entity receives a request for provision of information related to national strategic technology from a foreign government or agency, it shall inform such fact to the head of the relevant central administrative agency. |
| (3) | The head of a central administrative agency may categorize a strategic research project under his or her jurisdiction as a confidential task under Article 21 (2) of the National Research and Development Innovation Act, and where it is necessary to efficiently and promptly implement research and development, he or she may separately devise and take security control measures reflecting the technical characteristics, etc. of the strategic research project classified as a confidential task notwithstanding Article 21 (3) of that Act. |
| (4) | The head of a central administrative agency may fully or partially subsidize the budget necessary for implementing the security control measures under paragraph (3). |
| (5) | The head of a central administrative agency may review the current status of security management under Article 21 of the National Research and Development Innovation Act on the technology fostering entities who conduct research tasks on strategic research programs under his or her jurisdiction jointly with the Director of the National Intelligence Service. |
| (6) | Necessary matters concerning the scope of information subject to notification under paragraph (2), methods of and procedures for notification, and designation and operation of security control measures for strategic research projects under paragraph (3) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 28 (Facilitation of Cooperation in Fields of National Defense and Security) |
| (1) | The Government shall encourage research and development through cooperation among civilians and the armed forces, and endeavor to expedite the utilization of research and development outcomes for securing national strategic technology with high potential for use in the fields of national defense and security. |
| (2) | Where the head of a central administrative agency deems it necessary to conduct strategic research programs or strategic research projects with high potential for use in the fields of national defense and security, he or she may request the Minister of National Defense or the Administrator of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to participate therein. |
| (3) | Where national strategic technology is necessary for implementing a master plan for national defense science and technology innovation and an implementation plan thereof under Article 6 of the Act on the Promotion of National Defense Science and Technology Innovation, the Minister of National Defense or the Minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration may request the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies to implement national research and development programs or research and development projects related to the relevant national strategic technology. |
| (4) | The head of a research institute that performs a strategic research program may request the Minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration to provide support in technical data, research equipment, etc., as prescribed by Presidential Decree, if necessary to perform the relevant strategic research program. In such cases, the Minister of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration may provide technical data, research equipment, etc. to an extent that it would not affect the promotion of national defense research and development. |
| (5) | When the Minister of Defense Acquisition Program Administration or the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy designates defense industrial goods and enterprises pursuant to Articles 34 and 35 of the Defense Acquisition Program Act, he or she may preferentially consider an enterprise participating in a strategic research program and goods developed under such project. |
| Article 29 (Promotion of International Cooperation) |
| (1) | The Government shall understand international trends in research and development, human resources, industry, etc. related to national strategic technology and execute policy measures for promoting international cooperation in the field of national strategic technology, in cooperation with technology fostering entities. |
| (2) | In order to facilitate international cooperation under paragraph (1), the head of a central administrative agency may conduct the following projects so that industry, academia and research institutes may make achievements in cooperation with foreign governments, related international organizations, or foreign research and development institutes and organizations: |
| 1. | International joint research related to national strategic technology; |
| 2. | Overseas dispatch, training, and education of domestic researchers, etc. related to national strategic technology; |
| 3. | Attraction and utilization of excellent foreign researchers related to national strategic technology; |
| 4. | Understanding of international trends in the field of national strategic technology; |
| 5. | Exchanges of information, joint research, joint events, etc. related to national strategic technology with foreign governments, organizations, etc.; |
| 6. | Understanding of trends in intellectual property rights in national strategic technology at home and abroad; |
| 7. | Other matters deemed necessary by the head of a related central administrative agency for international cooperation. |
| (3) | The head of a central administrative agency may, if necessary for international cooperation, etc., jointly raise a fund with the counterpart country of the cooperation and use it to subsidize overseas research institutes, etc. |
| (4) | Matters necessary for fund-raising and utilization of the fund raised under paragraph (3) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
CHAPTER VII SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
| Article 30 (Delegation of Authority and Entrustment of Duties) |
| (1) | The Minister of Science and ICT may delegate part of his or her authority under this Act to the head of a local government or of an agency under his or her jurisdiction, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| (2) | Part of the duties of the Minister of Science and ICT under this Act may be entrusted to a relevant institution or organization as prescribed by Presidential Decree. |
| Article 31 (Legal Fiction as Public Official for Purposes of Applying Penalty Provisions) |
ADDENDUM <Act No. 19236, Mar. 21, 2023>
Article 1 (Enforcement Date)
This Act shall enter into force six months after the date of its promulgation.
Article 2 (Term of Validity)
This Act shall be valid until December 31, 2042.
Article 3 (Applicability to Designation of Strategic Research Programs)
The designation of strategic research programs under Article 11 shall also apply to national research and development programs being performed at the time this Act enters into force.