Science and technology in South Korea

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 Korea and South Korea.[2]

In the pursuit of advancement, South Korea has taken a centralized approach.[1]

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
A replica of the Naro-1

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.[3] Arirang-1 was lost in space in 2008, after nine years in service.[4]

In April 2008, Yi So-yeon became the first Korean to fly in space, aboard the Russian Soyuz TMA-12.[5][6]

In June 2009, the first spaceport of South Korea, Naro Space Center, was completed at Goheung, Jeollanam-do.[7] The launch of Naro-1 in August 2009 resulted in a failure.[8] The second attempt in June 2010 was also unsuccessful.[9] However, the third launch of the Naro 1 in January 2013 was successful.[10] The government plans to develop Naro-2 by the year 2018.[11]

Companies involved in the aerospace and defense markets of South Korea are primarily large multinational companies.[12] These large companies have been further strengthened by a push towards consolidation in the market.[12] This results in a difficulty for newer companies to enter the South Korean aerospace market.[12]

Defense Technology

Due to the growing perceived threat of North Korea, South Korea is increasing defense spending.[12] In 2019, South Korea is expected to increase spending by the largest amount in 11 years.[12]

Hanwha Techwin is a leading South Korean company manufacturing defense products, security devices, engines, digital solutions, and integrated control systems in South Korea.[12] Hanwha Techwin produces video recorders, surveillance software, access control products, and intelligent machinery and solutions.[12]

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.[13] 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.[14]

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.[15]

Robotics

Robotics has been included in the list of main national R&D projects in South Korea since 2003.[16] In 2009, the government announced plans to build robot-themed parks in Incheon and Masan with a mix of public and private funding.[17]

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.[18] EveR-1 has been succeeded by more complex models with improved movement and vision.[19][20]

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.[21] 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.[22]

gollark: Classical apiodynamics gives an incomplete picture of bee behaviour; they can only be explained properly through relativistic quantum apiomagnetohydroplasmodynamics.
gollark: Technically, this is an inaccurate description.
gollark: Bees run fully deterministic algorithms.
gollark: No, that would be stupid.
gollark: Apparently I mispredicted that, oh well.

See also

References
  1. Arnold, Walter (April 1988). "Science and Technology Development in Taiwan and South Korea". Asian Survey. 28 (4): 437–450. doi:10.2307/2644737. JSTOR 2644737.
  2. Sung, Nack-Chung; Chung, Yong Seung (December 6, 1996). "S&T in South Korea". Science. American Association for the Advancement of Science. 274 – via Gale Academic.
  3. "Korea, Russia Enter Full-Fledged Space Partnership". Defence Talk. July 5, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2013.
  4. South Korea Confirms Contact With Satellite Lost, Space Daily, January 7, 2008. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  5. "Scientist Yi So Yeon becomes first Korean astronaut", The Times (London), April 9, 2008
  6. "First S Korean astronaut launches". BBC News (April 8, 2008). Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  7. "S. Korea Completes Work on Naro Space Center" Archived April 17, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, The Korea Times (Seoul), June 10, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  8. "S. Korean satellite lost shortly after launch". Yonhap. August 26, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  9. "Global Insider: South Korea's Space Program". Worldpoliticsreview.com. June 29, 2010. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  10. Chris Bergin (January 30, 2013). "South Korea launch STSAT-2C via KSLV-1". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved March 8, 2013.
  11. "Naro-1 explodes after takeoff", Joongang Daily (Seoul), June 11, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  12. "South Korea - Defense & National Security". doi:10.1163/2213-2996_flg_com_111032h. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  13. "Bio International Convention Korea Country Profile" (PDF). Bio2008.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 17, 2011. Retrieved October 29, 2010.
  14. AFP. "Discovery Channel :: News – Animals :: Endangered Wolf Cloned in South Korea". Dsc.discovery.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  15. "Biotechnology" (PDF). Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  16. Special Report: [Business Opportunities] R&D Archived April 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Ministry of Knowledge Economy, September 3, 2007. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
  17. "Robot parks, a world first". JoongAng Daily, February 13, 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
  18. Android Has Human-Like Skin and Expressions, Live Science, May 8, 2006. Retrieved July 15, 2009.
  19. "Female Android Debuts in S. Korea, National Geographic, May 15, 2006". National Geographic. October 28, 2010. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  20. "EveR-3, Yonhap News, April 20, 2009" (in Korean). News.naver.com. April 20, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  21. South Korean Robot English Teachers Are Go, Popular Science, February 24, 2010. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
  22. Korean Robot Game Festival Archived May 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Official Site
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