By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young

President Yoon Suk-yeol held a conversation session with young scientists who will lead the Republic of Korea, a strong nation in science and technology, in Daejeon on February 16.

This event was arranged for the president to meet directly with the 2023 Presidential Science Scholars and International Olympiad winners, to congratulate and encourage them, and to listen freely to their hopes and suggestions. It followed the 12th "People's Livelihood Forum," with the theme of "Daejeon, the Science Capital Innovating Korea," adding significance to the occasion.

The president has consistently emphasized the importance of science and technology talents, promising to hold events like the "Conversations with Future Scientists" held in December 2022, again this year to encourage future scientists who will lead Korea.

The president mentioned that now is the era when countries with abundant talents and advanced science and technology become advanced powers. He stressed that future scientists should grow to develop new technologies and lead the world in science and technology.

Furthermore, the president expressed his joy in fulfilling his promise to expand the Presidential Science Scholarship to graduate students, allocating a budget of 3 billion won this year to award scholarships to 120 individuals.

In addition to this, the president announced the introduction of the "Graduate Student Research Life Scholarship" starting next year to support full-time graduate students participating in national research and development, promising support for the growth of young researchers again this year, following the efforts made in 2022.

Today's event proceeded in a relaxed atmosphere with lunch, where attendees and the president shared various questions and opinions on how to propel Korea into a leading science and technology nation.

The event was attended by a total of around 200 individuals, including the 2023 Presidential Science Scholars (university freshmen and juniors, around 110 individuals), International Olympiad winners (middle and high school students, around 50 individuals), Minister of Science and ICT, President of the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science & Creativity, and President of the Korea Science Foundation.