Article 1(Purpose) #
The purpose of this Act is to establish the research infrastructure for nanotechnology and ensure the systematic fostering and development of nanotechnology, thereby contributing to the innovation of science and technology and the development of the national economy.
Article 2(Definitions) #
The terms used in this Act are defined as follows:
1. The term "nanotechnology" means the following:
(a) Science and technology of manipulating, analyzing, and controlling matter at the nanometer scale so as to create materials, devices, or systems (hereinafter referred to as "materials, etc.") that exhibit novel or enhanced physical, chemical, or biological properties;
(b) Science and technology for finely processing materials, etc. at the nanometer scale;
2. The term "nanofab" means all the equipment and facilities related to analysis, processing, fabrication, charaterization that are necessary to drive research and development in nanotechnology.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 3(Formulation of basic policy measures) #
(1) The Government shall formulate basic policy measures to foster and develop nanotechnology in order to efficiently achieve the purpose of this Act.
(2) The Government shall endeavor to expand investment resources needed to promote the research and development of nanotechnology and strive to improve the efficiency of the research and development investment.
(3) Each Government-funded research institute, national or public research institute (hereinafter referred to as "research institute") shall actively cooperate in implementing the basic policy measures under paragraph (1).
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 4(Formulation of nanotechnology comprehensive development plan) #
(1) The Government shall formulate and implement a comprehensive development plan for nanotechnology (hereinafter referred to as the "comprehensive development plan") to promote the research and development of nanotechnology.
(2) The head of each related central administrative agency shall formulate policy measures and plans for the areas under their jurisdiction, on the matters referred to in the subparagraphs of paragraph (4) and notify the Minister of Science and ICT of the policy measures and plans. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(3) The Minister of Science and ICT shall prepare a draft comprehensive development plan by integrating policy measures and plans of each related central administrative agency notified under paragraph (2) and confirm the comprehensive development plan following deliberation by the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology (hereinafter referred to as the "Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology") under the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology Act. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017; Jan. 16, 2018>
(4) The comprehensive development plan shall include the following:
1. Basic direction for nanotechnology development goals and policy measures;
2. Promotion of research and development and expansion of investment in nanotechnology;
3. Implementation of nanotechnology research and development and promotion of collaborative and interdisciplinary research among industry, academia, and research institutes;
4. Expansion of the research infrastructure, such as human resources, facilities and information related to nanotechnology;
5. Promotion of international cooperation in nanotechnology;
6. Dissemination of nanotechnology research outcomes and technology transfer;
7. Other important matters related to nanotechnology development prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(5) The Government shall revise and supplement the comprehensive development plan, based on the procedures under paragraph (3), as necessary depending on changes in nanotechnology development trends and research and development conditions.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 5(Formulation of implementation plans) #
(1) The head of each related central administrative agency shall formulate and implement an annual implementation plan (hereinafter referred to as "implementation plan") in accordance with the comprehensive development plan.
(2) The Minister of Science and ICT shall report to the National Science and Technology Advisory Council on the implementation plan for the year and the performance results of the previous year, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017; Jan. 16, 2018>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 6(Implementation of research and development) #
(1) The head of each related central administrative agency shall implement nanotechnology research and development programs in the fields under their jurisdictions and formulate policy measures supporting the projects in accordance with the comprehensive development plan.
(2) The Government shall reflect the demands of the industry and the results of technology development forecasts when implementing nanotechnology research and development programs.
(3) The Minister of Science and ICT shall prepare a comprehensive technology map for the fields of nanotechnology as prescribed by Presidential Decree for the establishment of technology development strategies, the setting of research and development investment direction, and other related matters. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(4) The head of each related central administrative agency shall actively reflect the technology map prepared under paragraph (3) in the identification of core technologies to be developed when implementing nanotechnology research and development programs.
(5) The Government shall prepare a plan to promote interdisciplinary collaborative research and to enhance international cooperation and joint research, considering the characteristics of nanotechnology.
(6) The Government shall periodically investigate and analyze the development trends and investment directions of nanotechnology in major countries and reflect them in nanotechnology-related policies.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 7(Korea Nanotechnology Research Society) #
(1) The Minister of Science and ICT may, as prescribed by Presidential Decree, allow industry, academia, and research institutes to form and operate a Korea Nanotechnology Research Society in order to promote information exchange, personnel exchange, and cooperative research, and other such activities among researchers in industry, academia, and research institutes. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(2) The Government may fully or partially subsidize the activities of the Korea Nanotechnology Research Society under paragraph (1).
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 8(Support for technology development in private sector) #
(1) The Government shall establish support policy measures, such as the supply of excellent nanotechnology personnel, tax and financial support and preferential procurement in order to activate nanotechnology research and development and encourage investment in research and development by the private sector.
(2) The Government shall prioritize support policy measures under paragraph (1) for technology-intensive small and medium enterprises using nanotechnology and companies starting up using nanotechnology.
(3) The Minister of Science and ICT shall reflect the findings from surveys on nanotechnology research and development activities in the private sector under Article 9 in nanotechnology development-related policies in order to efficiently implement support policy measures under paragraph (1). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 9(Surveys on nanotechnology research and development activities) #
(1) The Minister of Science and ICT may survey and analyze nanotechnology research and development activities in the private sector as prescribed by Presidential Decree to efficiently implement support policy measures under Article 8 (1). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(2) Where necessary to conduct surveys and analyses under paragraph (1), The Minister of Science and ICT may request the submission of data from enterprises, corporations, and organizations participating in national research and development programs. In this case, the enterprises, corporations, and organizations requested to submit data shall cooperate unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 10(Development of specialized human resources) #
(1) The Government shall formulate a nanotechnology human resource development plan and establish policy measures on the provision of education and training programs related to personnel development, overseas training of specialized personnel, and the attraction and utilization of excellent professionals from abroad in order to develop human resources necessary to promote the development of nanotechnology.
(2) The Minister of Science and ICT shall forecast the outlook of the supply of and demand for human resources in the fields of nanotechnology in consultation with the heads of related central administrative agencies and reflect the results in the nanotechnology human resource development plan and policy measures under paragraph (1). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(3) The Government may entrust the task of nanotechnology personnel under paragraph (1) to a nanotechnology-related institution, organization, and college or university as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(4) The Government may support all or part of the expenses necessary for institutions, organizations, and colleges and universities that train nanotechnology personnel under paragraph (3).
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 11(Expansion of research facilities) #
(1) The Government shall establish and implement policy measures to expand research and development facilities, equipment, etc. related to nanotechnology in order to efficiently implement the research and development of nanotechnology.
(2) The Government may designate a public nanofab center among organizations that operate nanofabs as prescribed by Presidential Decree and require them to perform the following projects; in this case, the Government may contribute all or part of the expenses necessary to perform the projects, including the expenses for installing and operating facilities and equipment: <Amended on Jan. 31, 2025>
1. Support for joint utilization of nanofabs by industry, academia, and research;
2. Fostering specialized personnel in nanotechnology;
3. Commercialization of the outcomes of research in nanotechnology;
4. Support for the start-up of nanotechnology-related enterprises;
5. Other projects prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(3) The Government shall create an enabling environment for the occupancy of research laboratories that are related to nanotechnology and enterprises that start up using nanotechnologyb in the vicinity of a nanofab center designated under paragraph (2) (hereinafter referred to as the "public nanofab center"). <Amended on Jan. 31, 2025>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 11-2(Promoting joint utilization of nanofabs) #
(1) The Government shall support the linkage and cooperation among institutions operating nanofabs to promote joint utilization of nanofabs.
(2) The Minister of Science and ICT may establish and operate an integrated nanofab information system to promote the joint utilization of nanofabs.
(3) The Minister of Science and ICT may designate an organization dedicated to supporting linkage and cooperation among the institutions operating nanofabs under paragraph (1) and establishing and operating the integrated information system for nanofabs under paragraph (2), and may support the expenses necessary for its operation.
(4) Matters necessary for the establishment and operation of the integrated nanofab information system under paragraph (2) and the designation of a dedicated organization under paragraph (3) shall be prescribed by Presidential decree.
[This Article Added on Jan. 31, 2025]
Article 11-3(Special cases concerning permission for use of public property or lease or concession thereof) #
(1) Notwithstanding the Public Property and Commodity Management Act, a local government may, through a private contract, gratuitously grant permission for the use of, lend or sell public property and goods to a public nanofab center or a corporation to which a public nanofab center belongs.
(2) Where any public property is permitted for use or leased under paragraph (1), the permitted use period or lease period may be set within 20 years, notwithstanding Articles 21 and 31 of the Public Property and Commodity Management Act. In this case, the period may be renewed, and the renewal period may not exceed 20 years for each renewal.
(3) Where land owned by a local government is permitted for use or leased under paragraph (1), permanent facilities may be constructed on the land on condition that the land is purchased at the time the permitted use period or lease period expires, notwithstanding Article 13 of the Public Property and Commodity Management Act. In this case, the permitted use period or lease period may not be renewed until the period reaches 50 years, notwithstanding the latter part of paragraph (2).
(4) Where a public nanofab center or a corporation to which a public nanofab belongs needs to purchase land owned by a local government under the former part of paragraph (3), the head of the local government may allow it to pay the purchase price in installments over a period of up to 20 years, notwithstanding Article 37 of the Public Property and Commodity Management Act.
(5) Where the provisions of any other Act conflict with paragraphs (1) through (4) regarding permission to use, lease, concession, or sale of public property, this Act shall apply.
(6) The Public Property and Commodity Management Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to matters necessary for the procedures for permission for use, lease, or sale under paragraph (1).
[This Article Added on Jan. 31, 2025]
Article 12(Commercialization of research and development) #
(1) The head of each related central administrative agency shall establish and implement support policy measures necessary to promote the commercialization of developed nanotechnology.
(2) Matters regarding the content, etc. of support policy measures under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 13(Specialized nanotechnology research institutes) #
(1) Where necessary to maintain and develop a system of close cooperation among industry, academia, and research institutes, the Minister of Science and ICT may establish or designate a nanotechnology research institute to serve as a hub for nanotechnology research and development in consultation with the heads of related central administrative agencies, as prescribed by Presidential Decree. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(2) Where the Minister of Science and ICT designates a research institution established under Article 8 of the Act on the Establishment, Operation and Fostering of Government-Funded Research Institutes as a research institute specialized in nanotechnology under paragraph (1), he or she shall consult with the competent supervising authorities in advance. <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(3) The Government may support all or part of the expenses incurred in operating a nanotechnology research institute established or designated under paragraph (1).
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 14(Establishment of technology information system) #
(1) The Government shall establish and implement the following policy measures to efficiently support research and development of nanotechnology and promote the production, distribution, management, and utilization of nanotechnology information:
1. Collection, analysis, and processing of nanotechnology information and establishment of database;
2. Establishment and operation of a nanotechnology information network;
3. Establishment and operation of a virtual reality laboratory related to nanotechnology;
4. Other matters related to nanotechnology information as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
(2) The Minister of Science and ICT may designate a specialized institute for nanotechnology information management as prescribed by Presidential Decree if necessary for the effective implementation of policy measures referred to in paragraph (1). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
(3) The Minister of Science and ICT shall consult with the competent supervising authority in advance when designating a research institute established under Article 8 of the Act on the Establishment, Operation, and Fostering of Government-Funded Research Institutes as a specialized institute for nanotechnology information management under paragraph (2).
(4) The Minister of Science and ICT may support all or part of the expenses necessary for the operation of a specialized institute for nanotechnology information management designated under paragraph (2). <Amended on Mar. 23, 2013; Jul. 26, 2017>
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 15(Establishment of system for measurement standards) #
The Government shall establish a system for the measurement standards for the areas of nanotechnology in accordance with Article 19 (1) of the Framework Act on National Standards to effectively implement research and development of nanotechnology and promote the commercialization of research outcomes.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 16(Creation of nanotechnology research complexes) #
(1) The Government may support the creation of a nanotechnology research complex in order to enhance efficiency in research and development of nanotechnology through organic connections among industry, academia, and research institutes in a specific region, and attract or foster domestic and overseas nanotechnology-intensive enterprises.
(2) The head of each related central administrative agency may fully or partially support the expenses of a nanotechnology research complex creation project managed by a local government within budgetary limits.
(3) Matters necessary to support the creation of a nanotechnology research complex under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 17(Fostering of non-profit corporations related to nanotechnology) #
(1) The Government shall foster non-profit corporations or organizations that support nanotechnology’s advancement and academic activities.
(2) The Government may fully or partially contribute to or subsidize the expenses necessary for a project implemented by a non-profit corporation or organization under paragraph (1).
(3) Matters necessary for the scope, etc. of corporations or organizations eligible for fostering under paragraph (1) shall be prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 18(Tax reduction and exemption) #
Customs duties and value-added taxes may be reduced or exempted on tools and materials and equipment necessary for nanotechnology research and development activities that are deemed inevitably imported, as prescribed by the Act on Restriction on Special Cases concerning Taxation.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]
Article 19(Nanotechnology impact assessment) #
The Government shall conduct a prior assessment of the impact of nanotechnology development and industrialization on the economy, society, culture, ethics, and the environment and reflect the results in policies, as prescribed by Presidential Decree.
[This Article Wholly Amended on Jun. 7, 2011]