The Ministry of Science and Technology and Information and Communication has proposed a goal to end Corona 19 early by developing a new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) treatment and vaccine with domestic technology. A quick diagnostic kit that checks for Corona 19 infection in 3 minutes will also be developed by March this year.
On the 20th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced the ‘2021 work plan’ including these details.
◇ “At least next year, we will try to inoculate the public with the vaccine we made”
First of all, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to develop a treatment to overcome Corona 19 early and apply it to the medical field by the first half of this year.
There are two types of candidates for treatment:’Napamostat’ and’Kamostat’, discovered through drug re-creation. This drug has completed phase 2 clinical trials at home and abroad. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to apply the drug to the medical field by the first half of this year in cooperation with related ministries such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
For vaccines being developed with domestic technology, we continue to support preclinical and overseas clinical trials.
Vice Minister of Science and Technology Jeong Byeong-seon said in a question and answer at a preliminary briefing on the 19th, “The Corona 19 situation may be repeated every year and a pandemic may occur again in the future. At that time, it is a strategy to develop a vaccine until the end to utilize our vaccine,” he said. “We will support the development of vaccines and treatments by the end of this year so that the public can receive at least the vaccine we made next year.”
It will also commercialize a semiconductor-based rapid diagnostic kit that diagnoses Corona 19 within 3 minutes with saliva. After completing the development by March this year, it will apply for approval and promote the world’s first commercialization.
By the second half of this year, the Korea Virus Basic Research Institute was established to prepare for various infectious diseases including the corona 19 virus. The Ministry of Science and ICT is planning to establish the Korea Virus Basic Research Institute in a multifaceted manner, including plans to be included in research groups under the Daejeon Basic Science Research Institute (IBS).
A modular negative pressure room, which can install 4 hospital rooms and support facilities in 5 days, and additional hospital rooms in 15 minutes, will also be piloted until April this year.
◇ Strengthening the promotion of the digital new deal… Preparation for future technology development such as 6G and quantum information communication
The digital new deal, which accelerates the digital transformation, will also continue. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to create more than 900,000 jobs by investing a total of 58.2 trillion won by 2025 in the digital new deal.
The data dam project that shares public data with the private sector will also be strengthened. The Ministry of Science and ICT will share data through 16 big data platforms and 180 centers and expand 150 types of artificial intelligence (AI) learning data.
Vouchers are provided to over 3,280 companies so that small and medium-sized venture companies can utilize AI, data, and cloud.
It is also promoting the development of new-concept semiconductors (PIM) optimized for AI computation and next-generation AI technology.
5G networks will be built in 85 cities, major administrative buildings, subways, KTX, SRT, etc. so that 5G networks can be used anywhere in the country.
It will also start developing core technologies such as 6G and quantum information communication, which are the next steps of 5G.
To accelerate the digital new deal, the Fourth Industrial Revolution Committee, directly under the president, will be reorganized into a data control tower. After the reorganization, the Prime Minister will serve as co-chair of the Fourth Industrial Revolution Committee.
◇ Prepare for the future with science and technology… Plan to cultivate 100,000 core AI/SW talents by 2025
The investment direction for carbon-neutral research and development (R&D) will be established in March this year. It also presents a’mid- to long-term technology roadmap’ to expand R&D investment and discover key technologies.
It also speeds up space development. The development of the Korean launch vehicle Nuri will be continued in October this year. In March of this year, it will launch a next-generation medium-sized satellite and promote the establishment of a Korean satellite navigation system (KPS). The development of the lunar orbit will also be promoted by 2022.
In accordance with the’Private Space Development Promotion Act’ enacted in the second half of this year, a solid fuel launch vehicle launch site will be built from this year to 2024.
It also creates an environment where researchers can immerse themselves in research. By 2022, it will invest 2.52 trillion won to double research-led basic research.
It also supports research by young scientists and female scientists. We will discuss with relevant ministries so that science and engineering university students can subscribe to industrial accident insurance, and prepare an action plan to create a culture of work-family balance for female scientists by the second half of this year.
AI·SW (software) core talent is also trained. It plans to raise 16,000 people this year, and a total of 100,000 talents by 2025.
In order to close the digital divide, public Wi-Fi and digital competency education will be strengthened. This year, an additional 15,000 public Wi-Fi will be established, and digital competency education will be provided to 270,000 people.
Minister of Science and Technology Choi Ki-young said, “We will make this year a year of recovery, inclusion, and leap forward with science and technology and information and communication innovation. I will.”
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