Based on two core pillars of "Completing the Marine Capital" and "AI Great Transformation," Busan's 2027 research and development investment blueprint to secure future growth drivers will be unveiled this afternoon on the 22nd. This forum is expected to be an important occasion to substantiate Busan's long-term vision and explore efficient ways to manage research and development budgets.

Busan City and the Busan Institute of Science and Technology Education will jointly hold the "2027 Busan Research and Development Investment Direction Forum" at the Busan City Hall Conference Room this afternoon. The basic goal of the 2027 Busan R&D investment direction to be presented at this occasion is "Strategic research and development investment centered on prerequisite technologies that lead the completion of the marine capital and Busan's AI transformation." This goes beyond simply allocating budgets and contains core strategies to address future challenges facing Busan City and create new growth drivers. In particular, the three major sectors and ten investment directions to be announced through the forum will be used as official guidelines for strategic allocation and adjustment of Busan's future research and development budgets.

At the forum, experts from various fields will provide in-depth insights into research and development strategies at the national and regional levels. Cho Sung-ho, Director of the Investment Strategy Coordination Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Planning and Evaluation, will present on the overall national research and development investment direction for the Republic of Korea and provide the big picture. Following this, Yoon Ji-eon, Director of the Evaluation and Analysis Division at the Busan Institute of Science and Technology Education, will detail the specific investment directions for Busan City in 2027 and emphasize the importance of region-specialized strategies. These presentations are expected to help attendees gain a clear understanding of Busan's future research and development investment strategies while driving in-depth discussions.

[Photo=Yonhapnews]

Busan City has played a leading role differentiated from other local governments. Since 2017, it has been the only local government in the nation to proactively establish research and development investment directions and standards for the following year every year. This is evaluated as greatly contributing to increasing predictability and efficiency in research and development budget execution while strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem. Busan City's continued efforts are interpreted as an important process in laying a solid foundation for securing future growth drivers.

The diverse opinions from experts and the field raised at this forum are expected to be ultimately reflected in Busan's 2027 research and development investment directions. This final guideline will function as a key criterion for Busan's future research and development budget allocation and adjustment, serving as the basis for practical financial management. Furthermore, it is expected to become an important strategic stepping stone for achieving Busan's aspired "Marine Capital" identity and the future-oriented goal of "AI Great Transformation." In the long term, there is also a possibility of discussions extending to improvements in related laws and systems, suggesting that this forum will be an important turning point that will determine Busan's future.