South Korea's new chief ICT policymaker said Tuesday that he will push forward tough reforms as the country must deal with various challenges under the fourth industrial revolution."The Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning should be reborn so that the ministry that can prepare for the future amid the changes," You Young-min said during his inauguration ceremony.The government has been engaged in various projects to cope with the latest revolution that is characterized by a fusion of cut

A parliamentary committee on Monday adopted a report on the outcome of a confirmation hearing for Science, ICT and Future Planning Minister nominee Yoo Young-min, clearing the way for his official appointment.The adoption of the report is a key procedure before President Moon Jae-in formally appoints him. This photo, taken on July 4, 2017, shows Science, ICT and Future Planning Minister nominee Yoo Young-min speaking during a parliamentary confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul.

More than 1,700 South Korean scientists and engineers gathered Friday to seek ways to capitalize on the changes as the world is transformed by the "fourth industrial revolution."The annual forum -- hosted by the country's largest scientist's group, the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies -- was held at the COEX convention center in southern Seoul."I believe the core value of the fourth industrial revolution is people. The scientists and technicians gathered here today all face

South Korea's nuclear power operator is set to hold a board meeting this week to touch on the issue of axing two planned nuclear power plants, officials said Thursday, as Seoul pushes forward a controversial nuclear-free energy policy of the Moon Jae-in administration. This photo, taken on July 2, 2017, shows the site where construction of the Shin-Kori 5 and 6 reactors has been under way in Ulsan, 414 kilometers southeast of Seoul. (Yonhap)The board of the Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co. is sch

A group of university professors and scholars demanded on Wednesday that President Moon Jae-in halt his push to scrap the building of new nuclear power plants and phase out those in operation. Joo Han-kyu and university professors at press conference(Yonhap)"(The government) should immediately halt the push to extinguish the nuclear energy industry that provides cheap electricity to the general public," the group said in a press release.During a ceremony in Busan last month to mark the permanent

INCHEON -- The members of the Conference of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol will meet for a forum in Seoul later this week about one month ahead of its implementation to protect biological resources, a state-run research organ here said Tuesday.  (Yonhap)"The National Institute of Biological Resources of Korea under the environment ministry will hold the forum titled 'National Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on ABS: Sharing Lessons and Discussing Challenges' at a Seoul hotel on Wednesda

About 100 South Korean drug companies will begin producing generic versions of Tamiflu in August to ease the shortage in supply of the world's only anti-viral drug as its 20-year patient protection has expired, industry sources said Wednesday.Among the companies are Yuhan Corp., Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co. and Green Cross Corp., an official of the Korea Food and Drug Administration said.Tamiflu dominates South Korea's market for the anti-viral medication against flu, with sales hitting 59 billio

JEJU -- Geological experts from South Korea, China and Japan agreed Tuesday to conduct joint research on major faults of the counties to better estimate earthquake risks.  The agreement came during a meeting of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, the Geological Survey of Japan and the China Geological Survey on South Korea's largest island of Jeju. The Trilateral GeoSummit meeting brought together 80 experts and officials from the three Northeast Asian countries. Geological

A group of South Korean medical researchers developed a new type of anti-cancer immune material derived from a plant, the science ministry said Thursday, opening up new treatment opportunities for patients. The team, led by Lee Chang-hwan of Ulsan University, developed the new substance made from the plant named rehmannia that can selectively destroy tumor cells, the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning said. The substance has shown potential for attacking brain cancer, it said. (Photo c

A group of South Korean scientists have developed an adhesive patch inspired by protuberances in the suction cups of octopuses, the ICT ministry said Thursday, a finding that can have various electronic and medical applications.The team led by Bang Chang-hyun at Sungkyunkwan University developed the world's first patch that can be attached and detached up to 1,000 times without the need for any adhesive material, even in wet conditions. (Yonhap)"This study was to develop the material of a highly

A group of South Korean scientists have developed a new technology to print three-dimensional nano-sized electronic tubes, the state-run institute said Monday, a finding that may contribute to the development of wearable technologies such as bendable electronic devices.The team, led by Seol Seung-kwon at the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute, developed the printing technology using a new nozzle to print highly conductive 3D carbon nanotubes. (Photo courtesy of the Korea Electrotechnolog

A group of South Korean scientists have developed a new eco-friendly method to chemically produce terephthalic acid, which is largely used for polyethylene terephthalate, the science ministry said Sunday, a development that could be a boon in the mass production of next-generation industrial plastic.TPA is a large-volume commodity chemical used principally as a monomer precursor in the manufacture of polyethylene terephthalate, which finds a broad range of applications in making beverage contain

GWANGJU -- A group of South Korean scientists successfully created an artificial brain-like three-dimensional neural structure, a local university said Wednesday, a finding that may contribute to studies in various brain diseases including Alzheimer's.The team led by Yoon Myung-han at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in collaboration with a research team from Seoul National University said they used graphene oxide nanoflakes to create bacterial cellulose. (Photo courtesy of the Gw