Priority Setting of Future Technology Area Based on Korean Technology Foresight Exercise

KISTEP (Korea Institute of Sci. & Tech. Evaluation and Planning) has conducted national technology foresight from 2003 to 2004 and its results have been reported to National Sci & Council in May of 2005. In the foresight exercise, the prospect of future Korean society up to Year 2030 was developed. Then, future demands and needs based on the prospects were deduced through survey on the general public. The technical panels were set-up to develop the technology subjects that may satisfy the demands and needs of future Korean society. Total 761 future technology subjects were Delphi-surveyed. In the survey, various aspects such as realization time, technical level and gap, strategic importance, obstacle to overcome were assessed. Right after the reporting, Government carried out new initiative of the future strategic technology area that can be new engine of economic growth around year 2015. Total 21 technology areas were selected based on its impact on the quality of life, economic growth and public needs. Government vow to make a master plan to execute this program in 2006. In the paper, overall priority-setting procedure will be described in details comparing existing R&D program in Korea