SEOUL, November 24 (AJP) - South Korea unveiled its plans to attract 2,000 foreign experts and recruit 100 top-tier global scientists by 2030 at a meeting held at the government complex in central Seoul on Monday.
The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Bae Kyung-hoon, the Minister of Science and ICT and other officials from relevant ministries.
The ambitious plans aim to address the declining school-age population amid the country's ultra-low birthrate, as well as the urgent need to nurture talent in the science and engineering sectors to maintain the country's competitiveness in highly advanced technical fields including artificial intelligence (AI).
According to the science ministry, the number of those with master's degrees is expected to peak at 63,248 in 2027, while PhD holders are forecast to reach their peak in 2030.
Moreover, South Korea is also facing a brain drain, as many students who studied abroad choose not to return home, while homegrown scientists, engineers, AI experts and other skilled professionals are increasingly leaving the country in search of better pay and more opportunities, with just over half or 54 percent of PhD holders choosing to remain.
To address these challenges, the ministry plans to select about 100 leading scientists by 2030, around 20 each year, who will receive support to conduct their research here.
AI-specialized schools and research centers will be established in partnership with local universities, along with expanded research positions. To attract foreign talent, researchers will be offered salaries and other labor costs of up to 1 billion Korean won (about US$680,000), and a new top-tier visa will allow their spouses to work in South Korea, encouraging long-term stays.
The ministry stressed the urgency, saying "The next five years will be critical for addressing the anticipated shortage of science and engineering professionals by 2030."
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