Science ministry to host international R&D industry convention in Suwon

The science ministry said Tuesday it will hold the International R&D Industry-Con 2026 on Oct. 28 and 29 at the Suwon Convention Center, bringing together about 4,000 people from industry, academia and research institutes, along with university students.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said the convention is meant to re-examine the role of the research industry in supporting the government's three mega-projects covering semiconductors, physical AI and AI data centers, and seven seed projects: small modular reactors, nuclear fusion, renewable energy, quantum technology, space and aerospace, advanced biotechnology and advanced supply chains.

An exhibition will feature 134 companies and institutions across 182 booths, spanning research equipment and materials, contract research and other R&D services. The lineup includes 79 equipment and materials suppliers, 26 R&D service providers, 13 early-stage startups, eight regional pavilions and eight co-hosting and related organizations, among them the Japan Analytical Instruments Manufacturers Association.

A “K-research equipment live lab” will demonstrate real research procedures using domestically made instruments, and the chemical society will run poster presentations in connection with the exhibition.

On the opening day, four companies from the semiconductor, physical AI and small modular reactor sectors — Alcemi, Park Systems, Airobot and RX — will give video interviews on conditions in the field, with First Vice Minister Koo Hyuk-chae responding in a video message. A global forum on research equipment will hear from speakers from U.S. firm Thermo Fisher Scientific, Switzerland's Tecan and domestic and foreign academia on trends in AI-driven autonomous laboratories and cooperation.

The second day will feature business matching between researchers and specialized research service providers under the mega and seed projects, an investment pitch event for 10 research-industry companies and a briefing on government R&D programs. A new-technology presentation will run throughout the convention.

Koo described the sector as a reliable partner for the country's flagship projects. "The research industry is a strong supporter of the R&D and commercialization of the three mega and seven seed projects," he said. "Starting with this event, we will support cooperation between researchers and companies so that it leads to tangible results and build a research industry ecosystem in which supply and demand reinforce each other."