Korea Turns Its Focus Towards Basic Research; Ought Australia to Take Notice? (May 10, 2008)

An arresting report in Science's ScienceScope should send a signal to the Rudd Labor Government and the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Kim Carr, in particular... Watch your back, there's a "gathering storm".

Korea Targets Basic Science

Worried about a widening deficit in high-tech trade, South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak said last week that he wants overall research spending to rise from 3.2% to 5% of the country's gross domestic product by 2012. Insiders say his Administration, which took office in February, wants to lead the way by doubling government spending.

The government currently funds about one-fourth of the $30 billion now spent on research. Private-sector spending is targeted at applications, and 75% of government spending goes to applied areas. Officials in the Lee Administration hope to make basic research half of the government's overall portfolio. Yu Hee-Yol, chair of the governmental Korea Research Council of Fundamental Science & Technology, says the country's scientists and engineers are "very excited about" the new funding targets.