Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to contribute to the reinforcement of the capacities of women for science and technology and the development of national science and technology by devising policies to foster women in science, engineering, and technology, to make practical use of their abilities, and to support them, by extending assistance helping them to sufficiently display their talents and abilities.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
Article 2(Definitions) #
The term "women in science, engineering, and technology" in this Act means women who engage or intend to engage in research service, technical service or other related service in the fields of natural science and engineering (hereinafter referred to as "science and engineering system"), who are prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
Article 3(Relationship to other statutes) #
This Act shall apply, in preference to other statutes, to the fostering of women in science, engineering, and technology, to the practical use of their talents, and to the assistance to them; provided, where the application of other statutes is more favorable to women in science, engineering, and technology, such statutes shall apply. <Amended on Jan. 30, 2024>
Article 4(Master plans) #
(1) The Government shall set forth the goals and directions for mid- and long-term policies to foster and support women in science, engineering, and technology, and establish and promote master plans for fostering and supporting women in science, engineering, and technology according thereto (hereinafter referred to as "master plans"), in order to efficiently achieve the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Minister of Science and ICT shall establish master plans every five years by integrating plans, policies, etc. relating to fostering and supporting women in science, engineering, and technology, which have been established by the heads of related central administrative agencies and the Special Metropolitan City Mayor, other Metropolitan City Mayors, the Special Self-Governing City Mayor, Do Governors, or the Special Self-Governing Province Governor (hereinafter referred to as "Mayor/Do Governor"), as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Feb. 3, 2015; Jul. 26, 2017>
(3) The master plans shall contain the following matters: <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017; Jan. 30, 2024>
1. Basic goals and promotional directions for fostering women in science, engineering, and technology and for assisting them;
2. Matters concerning the fostering of women in science, engineering, and technology, practical use of their talents, and assistance to them;
3. Matters concerning affirmative action under Article 11;
4. Deleted; <Jan. 31, 2024>
4-2. Matters concerning support for work-life balance for women in science, engineering, and technology;
4-3. Matters concerning the fostering of local women in science, engineering, and technology;
5. Matters concerning the fostering of the organizations of women in science, engineering, and technology;
6. Other important matters concerning the fostering of and assistance to women in science, engineering, and technology as determined by the Minister of Science and ICT.
(4) The master plans shall be subjected to deliberation by the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology established under the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology Act (hereinafter referred to as the "Advisory Council on Science and Technology"), by undergoing the procedures prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jan. 16, 2018>
Article 5(Implementation plans for each fiscal year) #
(1) The heads of related central administrative agencies and Mayors/Do Governors (hereinafter referred to as "implementing agencies") shall establish and promote implementation plans for each fiscal year (hereinafter referred to as "implementation plans") in accordance with master plans.
(2) The Minister of Science and ICT shall adjust implementation plans by undergoing a consultation with implementing agencies, and shall inspect the current status of their implementation, and integrate the implementation plans of implementing agencies for the following year and the actual promotional results of the preceding year, and file a report thereon with the Advisory Council on Science and Technology. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017; Jan. 16, 2018>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
Article 6(Investigation of actual status) #
(1) The Minister of Science and ICT shall conduct an investigation of actual status each year, for the purpose of ascertaining the current status of practical use of the talents of women in science, engineering, and technology and other results following the enforcement of this Act, publicize the outcomes thereof, and file a report thereon with the Advisory Council on Science and Technology. <Amended on Jul. 21, 2011; Mar. 23, 2013; Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017; Jan. 16, 2018>
(2) Where it is deemed necessary to conduct an investigation of actual status under paragraph (1), a request may be made to the related central administrative agencies, local governments, public agencies, and other institutions or organizations that receive any assistance from the State or local governments, to furnish the data or opinions. In such cases, the institutions or organizations in receipt of such request shall comply therewith, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so.
(3) Matters necessary for the scope, details, methods, procedures, etc. in respect of the investigation of actual status under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jul. 21, 2011>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
Article 7(Promotion of entering science and engineering universities and participation in science and engineering field) #
(1) The State and local governments may induce schoolgirls in elementary or secondary schools to enter science and engineering universities (referring to universities defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Special Act on Support of Scientists and Engineers for Strengthening National Science and Technology Competitiveness; hereinafter the same shall apply); and may develop and operate programs necessary to motivate them to enter the science and engineering field, or support the institutions or organizations that operate such programs. <Amended on Dec. 19, 2017; Jan. 30, 2024>
(2) The State and local governments may induce female students attending universities or colleges to enter science and engineering universities and graduate schools (referring to graduate schools established in the universities defined in subparagraph 2 of Article 2 of the Special Act on Support of Scientists and Engineers for Strengthening National Science and Technology Competitiveness; hereinafter the same shall apply); and may develop and operate programs necessary to motivate them to enter the science and engineering field or to improve their research and development capabilities, or support the institutions or organizations that operate such programs. <Amended on Dec. 19, 2017; Jan. 30, 2024>
(3) Matters necessary for the details of programs, the scope of support, etc. under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
Article 8(Maintenance of appropriate ratio of female students in science and engineering universities, etc.) #
(1) Where the ratio of female students among those attending science and engineering universities, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "science and engineering universities, etc.") is very low, the State and local governments may encourage the science and engineering universities, etc. to maintain the adequate ratio of female students who enter each year. <Amended on Jan. 30, 2024>
(2) The State and local governments shall devise and promote preferential policies in their assistance of research expenses, etc. for science and technology universities, etc. that maintain an adequate ratio of female students who enter under paragraph (1).
(3) The ratio of female students under paragraph (1), preferential policies under paragraph (2), and other necessary matters shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
Article 9(Assistance to female students in science and technology) #
(1) The State and local governments may select excellent students from female students attending science and technology universities, etc., and provide them with scholarships or research subsidies, or have them participate in the research and development projects implemented by the State or local governments.
(2) Matters necessary for the criteria for the selection of excellent female students, the scope of assistance, etc. under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
Article 10(Support for Research Activities of Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology) #
(1) The State and local governments may fully or partially subsidize expenses incurred in education, training, or research activities at domestic and foreign universities, public research institutions, or corporate research institutes meeting the standards prescribed by Presidential Decree, in order to enhance the research capabilities of women in science, engineering, and technology. <Amended on Dec. 19, 2017; Jan. 30, 2024>
(2) The State and local governments may support international joint research and academic exchanges, overseas training activities programs in order to encourage international cooperation and strengthen international capabilities of women in science, engineering, and technology. <Added on Dec. 19, 2017; Jan. 30, 2024>
(3) Matters necessary for persons eligible for support, methods of support, etc. under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Dec. 19, 2017>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
[Title Amended on Jan. 30, 2024]
Article 11(Affirmative action) #
(1) The State and local governments may take affirmative action, such as temporarily setting certain levels of target ratio of recruitment, target ratio of retention, and target ratios of promotion by rank and position by rank for women in science, engineering, and technology within the reasonable range, in order to expand the advancement of women in science, engineering, and technology into research institutes in the fields of science and technology and science and engineering universities, etc. <Amended on Dec. 19, 2017; Jan. 30, 2024>
(2) The heads of research institutes in the fields of science and technology and the heads of science and engineering universities, etc. may take the following measures to take affirmative action under paragraph (1): <Added on Jan. 30, 2024>
1. When comprising a committee (regardless of its name, such as deliberative committee or council) for major personnel administration, including appointment, the number of members of a specific gender shall not exceed 7/10 of the total number of committee members;
2. Other measures deemed necessary for the implementation of affirmative action under paragraph (1).
(3) Where the heads of related central administrative agencies and the heads of local governments take affirmative action under paragraph (1), they shall notify the Minister of Science and ICT of the results of the affirmative action. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017; Jan. 30, 2024>
(4) The Minister of Science and ICT shall integrate the comprehensive results of affirmative action under paragraph (3), and file a report thereon with the Advisory Council on Science and Technology each year. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017; Jan. 16, 2018; Jan. 30, 2024>
(5) The State and local governments may provide administrative and financial support after evaluating the results of affirmative action taken under paragraph (1). <Added on Jul. 21, 2011; Jan. 30, 2024>
(6) The content of affirmative action under paragraph (1), institutions subject thereto, and matters necessary for the administrative and financial support under paragraph (5) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jul. 21, 2011; Jan. 30, 2024>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
Article 12(Designation of officers in charge of women in science, engineering, and technology) #
(1) The head of a public institution, such as a research institution in the field of science and technology, in which a large number of women in science, engineering, and technology are employed, shall designate an officer in charge of women in science, engineering, and technology (hereafter referred to as the "officer in charge" in this Article) from among employees under their control to perform the following duties: <Amended on Dec. 19, 2017>
1. Promoting recruitment of women in science, engineering, and technology;
2. Elevating positions of women in science, engineering, and technology;
3. Creating a work-life balance research culture;
4. Other duties as assigned to support women in science, engineering, and technology.
(2) The head of a public institution referred to in paragraph (1) may establish a specialized committee or special committee, if necessary for supporting and inspecting the duties of the officer in charge. <Added on Jan. 30, 2024>
(3) Matters necessary for the scope of public institutions under paragraph (1), the designation and duties of officers in charge, and specialized committees or special committees under paragraph (2) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Dec. 19, 2017>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
[Title Amended on Dec. 19, 2017]
Article 13(Support for employment and reemployment) #
(1) The State and local governments may provide support for necessary education and training, etc. where any women in science, engineering, and technology find employment or any women in science, engineering, and technology whose economic activities have been suspended due to their pregnancy, childbirth, rearing of children, taking care of their family members, etc. intend to find reemployment. <Amended on Jul. 21, 2011>
(2) The heads of related central administrative agencies and the heads of local governments may entrust all or some of the duties relating to the support for education and training, etc. under paragraph (1) to the institutions or organizations prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jul. 21, 2011>
(3) The heads of related central administrative agencies and the heads of local governments may fully or partially subsidize expenses incurred in carrying out business affairs by the institutions or organizations entrusted with the duties relating to support for education and training, etc. under paragraph (2). <Amended on Jul. 21, 2011>
(4) Matters necessary for the details of support for the education and training for employment and reemployment under paragraph (1), persons eligible for education and training and procedures, etc. therefor shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Jul. 21, 2011>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
[Title Amended on Jul. 21, 2011]
Article 13-2(Support for prevention of career interruption) #
(1) The State and local governments may provide support programs to women in science, engineering, and technology so that they do not discontinue their research activities for reasons, such as pregnancy, childbirth, childcare, and care of family members.
(2) The details of support programs under paragraph (1) and eligibility, procedures, methods, etc. of the support programs shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Added on Jan. 30, 2024]
Article 13-3(Identification and dissemination of best practices) #
(1) The Minister of Science and ICT shall endeavor to continuously identify and disseminate relevant best practices from public institutions, etc., to promote the fostering and support of women scientists and technicians.
(2) The Minister of Science and ICT may implement the following projects annually to promote the matters referred to in paragraph (1):
1. Identifying, awarding, and publicizing best practices in fostering and supporting women in science, engineering, and technology;
2. Holding forums and seminars to disseminate best practices regarding the fostering and support women in science, engineering, and technology;
3. Other projects necessary for identifying and disseminating best practices related to the fostering and support of women in science, engineering, and technology;
(3) Matters necessary for the identification and dissemination of best practices under paragraph (1) and the promotion of projects under paragraph (2) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Added on May 27, 2025]
Article 14 #
Deleted. <Jan. 31, 2024>
Article 14-2(Establishment of Korea Foundation for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology) #
(1) The Minister of Science and ICT shall establish the Korea Foundation for Women In Science, Engineering and Technology (hereinafter referred to as the "Foundation") to foster and support women in science, engineering and technology.
(2) The Foundation shall be a corporation.
(3) The Foundation shall perform the following duties: <Amended on Oct. 1, 2025>
1. Investigation or research in order to develop the policies on fostering and supporting women in science, engineering, and technology;
2. Education, training, refresher course, and counseling for women in science, engineering, and technology;
3. Provision of the employment information, etc. on occupational types relating to science and technology;
3-2. Provision of support for identifying, publicizing, and disseminating best practices to facilitate the fostering and support of women in science, engineering, and technology;
4. Other supports to women in science, engineering, and technology and to their organizations.
(4) The provisions of the Civil Act governing incorporated foundations shall apply mutatis mutandis to matters not prescribed by this Act for the Foundation.
(5) The Mayor/Do Governor may establish a regional support center for Korean women in science, engineering, and technology (hereinafter referred to as the "regional support center") to support the Foundation in performing its duties.
(6) No person other than the Foundation and regional support center shall not use the name "Korea Foundation for Women In Science, Engineering and Technology", "Regional Support Center for Korean Women In Science, Engineering and Technology", or any other similar name.
(7) The State and local governments may fully or partially contribute or subsidize expenses incurred in the establishment and operation of the Foundation and the establishment and operation of the regional support center.
(8) Other matters necessary for the composition, operation, etc. of the Foundation and the regional support center shall be prescribed by presidential decree.
[This Article Added on Jan. 30, 2024]
Article 15(Raising required financial resources) #
The State and local governments may contribute or subsidize all or part of the project expenses in fostering and supporting women in science, engineering, and technology prescribed by this Act within the budget or funds. <Amended on Jan. 30, 2024>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
Article 16(Entrustment of authority) #
(1) The heads of central administrative agencies or the heads of local governments may, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, entrust part of their authority under this Act to institutions or organizations that perform the duties related with fostering and supporting women in science, engineering, and technology. <Amended on Dec. 19, 2017>
(2) Where the heads of central administrative agencies or the heads of local governments entrust part of their authority conferred by this Act to institutions or organizations under paragraph (1), they may reimburse expenses incurred in performing the duties entrusted to them by providing contributions or subsidies. <Added on Dec. 19, 2017>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Mar. 17, 2010]
[Title Amended on Dec. 19, 2017]
Article 17(Administrative fines) #
(1) Any person who uses the name "Korea Foundation for Women In Science, Engineering and Technology", "Regional Support Center for Korean Women in Science, Engineering and Technology", or any other similar name, in violation of Article 14-2(6), shall be punished by an administrative fine not exceeding 5 million won.
(2) Administrative fines under paragraph (1) shall be imposed and collected by the Minister of Science and ICT, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Added on Jan. 30, 2024]