Science ministry vice minister seeks input on Post-PBS research reforms

The science ministry said it is strengthening communication with research institutions to ensure the smooth implementation of its new Post-PBS policy framework. Vice Minister Koo Hyuk-chae attended a labor-management workshop hosted by the Public Science and Technology Research Labor Union to explain the government's direction and listen to concerns from the field.

Held at the Lotte City Hotel, the workshop provided a venue for dialogue between labor and management on major issues affecting the science and technology research community. Koo used the opportunity to hear views from researchers at government-funded institutes regarding R&D funding security following the abolition of the PBS system and proposed changes to evaluation and compensation structures.

The Ministry of Science and ICT has been refining support policies to foster an environment where researchers can focus on their work through stable salary support and specialized administrative services. The department is also working to transition institutes toward a mission and performance-based operating system by launching strategic research projects and overhauling reward mechanisms.

To minimize uncertainty and help the new system take root, the ministry is detailing specific implementation plans while maintaining continuous dialogue with stakeholders. It recently launched a traveling policy briefing series involving direct visits to all 23 research institutes to explain core missions, long-term R&D portfolios, and criteria for exceptional commissioned projects.

"The purpose of abolishing the PBS system is to support stable salaries so researchers can immerse themselves in their work more securely, and on that foundation, to help these institutes leap forward as national representative research organizations," Koo said.

He added that since the system has been in place for about 30 years, many questions and opinions may arise during the transition. The vice minister pledged to continuously check how the new rules operate in practice and make necessary supplements where needed.