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| President Yoon Suk-yeol speaks during a meeting with presidential science scholarship holders and winners of International Science Olympiads at Yeongbingwan guesthouse in Jongno District, Seoul, Thursday. Joint Press Corps |
By Nam Hyun-woo
President Yoon Suk-yeol voiced optimism over the future of the field of science in Korea, saying the country will see soon Korean Nobel laureates in science and Fields Medal winners.
"In the past, we were doubtful about our national football team's performance in the World Cup, but now we are seeing the team advancing in the round of 16, competing equally with world-class players," Yoon said during a meeting with presidential science scholarship holders and winners of International Science Olympiads.
He met the young scientists at Yeongbingwan guesthouse in Jongno District, Seoul, to encourage them and promote the country's science education.
The presidential science scholarship is granted to Korean university students studying in natural science and engineering, to nurture the country's pool of scientific talent. This year, the program financed 157 new students and 395 existing ones. Out of 157 new students, 140 participated in the meeting with Yoon.
The International Science Olympiads are a group of worldwide competitions among students studying mathematics, physics, chemistry, informatics and other scientific fields. Korean students won medals in nine competitions held this year, and 44 students attended Thursday's event.
In his speech to the participants, Yoon stressed the value of freedom in scientific progress. Citing the case of the former Soviet Union, the president said there is bound to be a limit in a state-led scientific growth, and the government should focus on promoting the freedom of scientists in their research.
"In order to see scientific progress, a nation should not determine or control scientists' research subjects and support for them," Yoon said. "I think that science can blossom when universities and research institutes are allowed to freely research, freely choose tasks, and freely cooperate."
The president added that science expelled dictatorships and autocracy from society and let human rights, freedom and rationality thrive. As a result, promoting science is one of the critical reasons for a country's existence.
Yoon added that he believes a country's status can be defined by its scientific achievements, and he hopes that the participants' future research will contribute to not only Korea's scientific progress but also the human race.
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| President Yoon Suk-yeol waves as he leaves Yeongbingwan guesthouse in Jongno District, Seoul, Dec. 20, after meeting 200 young citizens to discuss labor, education and pension reforms. Courtesy of presidential office |
Including Thursday's meeting, Yoon has been increasing his contact with younger generations in recent public appearances, as part of his efforts to gain political leverage in that age group.
During a televised national task meeting on Dec. 15, Yoon invited people in their 20s and 30s and took questions from them. On Tuesday, he met 200 young citizens and told them about the necessity of labor reforms.
The moves are seen as the presidential office's recognition that the success of the Yoon government's key policies hinges on the support of younger generations.
Yoon is now putting emphasis on reforms in labor, education and pension as the three main government agendas next year, and using the logic that the current schemes are disadvantageous for future generations, thus all of those reform efforts are aimed at enabling a sustainable future.
During the Dec. 15 meeting, Yoon said, "The labor, education and pension reforms are essential for the sustainability of Korea" and reiterated on Wednesday that "even though they might not be popular, those reforms should be done for the sake of the country's future and future generations."
Surveys are showing that younger generations are somewhat supportive of Yoon's ideas.
In a Dec. 7 survey by Kookmin Research Group and Ace Research, 44.2 percent of the 1,030 respondents said they approve Yoon's hardline response to recent strikes by unionized truckers, while 50.6 percent said they opposed it. Among those in their 20s, however, 47.9 percent said they approve of Yoon's response while 47.1 percent said they disapprove.
The research was requested by news agency Newsis and further details are available at the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission's website.
During a Dec. 12 town hall meeting on the National Pension Service, hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, participants in their 20s and 30s said the pension system is advantageous for old pension holders.
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