Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is, by specifying such matters as the formulation of the basic policies and comprehensive plan on the promotion of science and technology and as the strengthening of the backup system for their implementation, to contribute to the scientific life of the people and to the national economic and industrial development.
Article 2(Devising of Basic Policies) #
The State shall devise comprehensive basic policies conducive to the promotion of science and technology for the purpose of encouraging and fostering voluntary research activities of the people on science and technology, enhancing their understanding of science and technology, and disseminating and supporting, etc. the development of new technology which will lead to the promotion of industrial development.
Article 3(Formulation and Implementation of Comprehensive Plans) #
(1) The Minister of Science and Technology shall, as part of the midand long-term economic and social development plan, formulate a comprehensive plan on the promotion of science and technology (hereinafter referred to as the “comprehensive plan”) containing such schemes as stipulated in the following subparagraphs, in consultation with the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies and subject to the deliberations of the Comprehensive Science and Technology Deliberation Commission as stipulated under the provisions of Article 5, and coordinate and administer generally the affairs arising in the course of implementing the plan: <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
1. Scheme on the research and development of science and technology;
2. Scheme on the development of scientific and technological manpower;
3. Scheme on investment in science and technology;
4. Scheme on the distribution of scientific and technological information;
5. Scheme on the establishment and promotion of institutions dedicated to the research and development of science and technology;
6. Scheme on the promotion of joint research and development involving the industrial, academic and research circles;
7. Scheme on international cooperation in science and technology;
8. Scheme on the promotion of understanding of science and technology among the general public and on the promotion of a scientific approach to their lifestyle; and
9. Such other important scheme relating to the promotion of science and technology as determined by the Presidential Decree.
(2) The heads of the relevant central administrative agencies and local governments shall work out their respective action programs on the comprehensive plan as prescribed in paragraph (1) and administer the affairs arising from their implementation.
Article 4(Forecast of Science and Technology) #
(1) The Minister of Science and Technology shall, for the purpose of the rational formulation of the basic policies and comprehensive plan dedicated to the promotion of science and technology, forecast regularly the development trend in science and technology. <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
(2) The Minister of Science and Technology may, if deemed necessary for such forecast in respect of science and technology as prescribed in paragraph (1), request the administrative agencies concerned, educational or research institutions, and other public or private juristic persons to provide him with necessary materials and data. <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
(3) The institutions and other public or private juristic persons requested to provide materials and data as prescribed in paragraph (2) shall comply with this save in the presence of special grounds to the contrary.
Article 5(Comprehensive Science and Technology Deliberation Commission) #
(1) The Comprehensive Science and Technology Deliberation Commission (hereinafter referred to as the “Commission”) shall be established under the direction of the Prime Minister for the purpose of deliberating on important matters relating to the government’s basic policies and the comprehensive plan dedicated to the promotion of science and technology and to the efficient coordination of the related affairs as between the government’s ministries concerned with science and technology.
(2) The Commission shall deliberate on such matters as coming under the following subparagraphs:
1. Setting up and coordination of the basic policies and comprehensive plan for the promotion of science and technology, and coordination of relevant important policies;
2. General adjustment of the required budget relating to the promotion of science and technology;
3. Selection of research and development projects considered vital to the State;
4. Promotion of education and research institutions dedicated to science and technology;
5. Coordination of important schemes and policies related to the development of scienceand technology-related manpower;
6. Furtherance of international cooperation in the important fields of science and technology;
7. Promotion of the development of important technologies and advancement of related institutions;
8. Promotion of the production, distribution and utilization of scientific and technological information;
9. Promotion of understanding of science and technology among the general public and promotion of a scientific approach to their lifestyle; and
10. Such other important matters relating to the furtherance of science and technology as determined by the Presidential Decree.
(3) The Commission shall be comprised of members not more than twenty one persons including a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman.
(4) The Prime Minister shall be the Chairman, and the Minister of Finance and Economy, the Deputy Chairman, while the members shall be comprised of such persons of expertise and experience as commissioned by the Prime Minister (hereinafter referred to as the “commissioned members”) and such heads of the relevant central administrative agencies as determined by the Presidential Decree. <Amended by Act No. 5454, Dec. 13, 1997; Act No. 6214, Jan. 28, 2000>
(5) One member shall be installed as executive member of the Commission who shall be the Minister of Science and Technology. <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
(6) The commissioned members shall serve for two years.
(7) An Expert Committee shall be established within the Commission under the management and control of the executive member to have it undertake specialized research on and examination and prior coordination of the agenda to be tabled to the Commission’s sessions.
(8) Matters necessary in relation to the composition of the Expert Committee and the operation of the Commission shall be determined by the Presidential Decree.
Article 6(Full Implementation of Decisions of Commission) #
The heads of the relevant central administrative agencies and local governments shall fully reflect the matters deliberated and decided on at the Commission into related science and technology policies and project plans and implement them, and shall report the detailed action programs and the performance results to the Commission.
Article 7(Research and Development of Science and Technology) #
The government shall, for the purpose of promoting research and development of science and technology, coordinate and administer the following affairs, and make plans and directives that will serve as the standards for carrying out the affairs in question:
1. Matters relating to the support and promotion of research and development institutions;
2. Matters relating to research and development projects;
3. Matters relating to training and securing of researchers;
4. Matters relating to the improvements on the research and development system; and
5. Other matters relating to research and development of science and technology.
Article 8(Development of Scientific and Technological Manpower) #
The Minister of Science and Technology shall, for the purpose of developing manpower resources necessary for the promotion of science and technology, formulate a scheme on the development of scientific and technological manpower and determine directives relating to the strengthening of science and technology education, the promotion of technical training, and the securing and protection of scientists and engineers. <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
Article 9(Expansion of Investment in Science and Technology) #
(1) The government shall expand and make efficient use of investment in the promotion of science and technology and work out a scheme enabling it to take full advantage of the outcome.
(2) The Minister of Science and Technology may, via deliberations of the Commission, recommend to the following persons that they invest in research and development connected with the projects in question such an amount as equivalent to the project budget or the projected turnover multiplied by an appropriate rate: <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
1. Project planners or project operators of government-executed largescale projects in which there is a high degree of applicability of hightech science and technology and which have a distinctive industrial and economical effect; and
2. Government-invested corporations established under the Framework Act on the Management of Government-Invested Institutions.
(3) The government shall work out various backup system necessary for the activation of expanded investment by business concerns in science and technology.
Article 10(Furtherance of Scientific and Technological Information) #
The Minister of Science and Technology shall, for the purpose of producing, distributing and utilizing scientific and technological information, set up and coordinate such policies and plans as stipulated in the following subparagraphs: <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
1. Promotion of institutions dealing with scientific and technological information;
2. Establishment of the distribution system in respect of scientific and technological information;
3. Introduction, development and utilization of the electronic data processing system and its application technology, and promotion of manpower specializing in information processing technology; and
4. Development of information technology and promotion of the information industry.
Article 11(Promotion of Joint Research and Development) #
(1) The government shall preferentially implement policies to support and promote joint research and development within the industrial, academic and research circles through the pooling of manpower, facilities, equipments and materials, funds, and information.
(2) The Minister of Science and Technology may, where he deems it necessary for joint implementation of important state research and development projects, recommend or arrange, at the request of the heads of the relevant research and development institutions, reciprocal exchange of scientists and engineers as between these institutions as prescribed by the Presidential Decree. <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
(3) The scientists and engineers exchanged between research and development institutions pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) shall not be disadvantageously treated in their status and salary by reason of such exchanges.
Article 12(Scientific and Technological Cooperation) #
(1) The Minister of Science and Technology shall, for the purpose of promoting and supporting scientific and technological cooperation with foreign governments, international organizations and foreign juristic persons or organizations, formulate in consultation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and shall coordinate and administer the implementation of, basic policies and comprehensive plans relating to international scientific and technological cooperation containing such matters as stipulated in the following subparagraphs: <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
1. Promotion and support of international joint research and development;
2. International exchange of scientific and technological information and of scientists and engineers;
3. Convocation of and participation in international conferences on science and technology;
4. Support of international collection of information on science and technology; and
5. Such other matters relating to international scientific and technological cooperation as determined by the Presidential Decree.
(2) Matters necessary with respect to the formulation of such basic policies and plans as stipulated under the provisions of paragraph (1) shall be determined by the Presidential Decree.
Article 13(Devising of Policies Promoting Understanding of Science and Technology by General Public) #
(1) The government shall work out appropriate policies required to enhance understanding and acceptability of science and technology among the people in the wake of new and varied developments in science and technology.
(2) The Minister of Science and Technology may, where he considers it necessary to achieve such an objective as stipulated under paragraph (1), designate a juristic person to take charge of the affairs in question and support the project expenses. <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
Article 14(Science and Technology Promotion Fund) #
(1) The Minister of Science and Technology may set up the Science and Technology Promotion Fund (hereinafter referred to as the “Fund”) where he deems it necessary for pushing ahead efficiently with the affairs connected with the promotion of science and technology. <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
(2) The Fund shall be appropriated by the following financial resources: <Amended by Act No. 6214, Jan. 28, 2000>
1. Contributions and loans by the Government;
2. Contributions by those other than the Government;
3. Profits accruing from operating the Fund; and
4. Such other income as determined by the Presidential Decree.
(3) The Fund shall be used for purposes coming under any of the following subparagraphs: <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
1. Support to the projects for the promotion of science and technology, such as the research and scientific activities of science and technology, the fosterage of manpower, and the international exchange, etc.;
2. Support to the juristic persons and organizations established for the purpose of contributing to the promotion and development of science and technology or the advancement of scientific and technological culture, or to the science building registered under the Science Buildings Support Act; and
3. Support to the related enterprises carrying out the research and development for the promotion of science and technology.
(4) The Fund shall be operated and managed by the Minister of Science and Technology, but he may, where deemed necessary, entrust a juristic
person established for the promotion of science and technology with the affairs of operating and managing the Fund as prescribed by the Presidential Decree. <Amended by Act No. 6214, Jan. 28, 2000>
(5) Matters necessary for the operation and management of the Fund shall be prescribed by the Presidential Decree.
Article 15(Science and Technology Foundation) #
(1) The Government may, in case where necessary for contributing to the promotion of science and technology through a fosterage of research and development capabilities for science and technology, a promotion of education for science and technology, and an advancement of international exchanges, etc., establish the science and technology foundation.
(2) Matters necessary for the establishment of science and technology foundation under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by a separate Act.
Article 16(Technological Assessment and Standards) #
(1) The government shall make a prior assessment of, and make appropriate preparations for, the benefit-increasing effects as well as the side-effects of new technology on various sectors, namely economic and cultural, etc.
(2) The government shall establish and implement technological standards where it is deemed necessary as a result of such a technological assessment as stipulated in paragraph (1).
(3) The Minister of Science and Technology may recommend to the heads of the relevant central administrative agencies the establishment and implementation of such technological standards as stipulated in paragraph (2). <Amended by Act No. 6220, Jan. 28, 2000>
(4) Matters necessary in relation to the scope of the target technologies, the procedure of the technological assessment and the procedure relating to the establishment and implementation of such technological standards as stipulated in paragraph (2), shall be determined by the Presidential Decree.
Article 17(Designation of Public Officials in Exclusive Charge of Administration of Science and Technology) #
(1) The heads of the central administrative agencies, the Special Metropolitan City Mayor and Metropolitan City Mayors and Do governors who are members of the Commission, shall designate public officials specializing in science and technology from among those under their respective control and supervision and have them take charge of general management of and external consultations over the affairs related to the promotion thereof. <Amended by Act No. 5454, Dec. 13, 1997>
(2) Matters necessary in relation to the designation of public officials in exclusive charge of administration of science and technology as referred to in paragraph (1) shall be determined by the Presidential Decree.
Article 18(Awards) #
The government may, for the purpose of encouraging the invention, research, development, application, furtherance or commercialization with respect to science and technology, grant awards to the persons who have distinguished accomplishments in these respects.
Article 19(Subsidies to Juristic Persons and Organizations Dedicated to Science and Technology) #
The government may, within the scope of its budget, grant subsidies to be used as part of the necessary expenses to juristic persons and organizations established to promote science and technology or to individuals engaged in research and development of science and technology which are recognized as important to the State.