The government has selected five projects for the first review under a large-scale research and development (R&D) pre-screening system newly introduced after the abolition of pre-feasibility reviews.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said it held the "First Review Committee for Build-Type R&D Projects in 2026" on Thursday, chaired by Park In-gyu (박인규), head of the Science and Technology Innovation Office, and selected five projects for the first round of project-launch reviews for build-type R&D projects in 2026.

Earlier this year, the government abolished pre-feasibility reviews for national R&D projects for the first time in 18 years and shifted to a tailored pre-screening system based on the Framework Act on Science and Technology. Build-type R&D projects, including the construction of large-scale research facilities and equipment worth 100 billion won or more, the development of research complexes and system development in the space sector, will undergo life-cycle reviews in stages from the start of the project.

The five projects selected for the project-launch review for the first time are: the National Science and Technology Information AI and Computing Hub Center construction project; the AI mobility comprehensive demonstration complex development project; the large-scale green hydrogen production technology development and demonstration project; the advanced aircraft engine localisation technology development project (K-Engine); and the radar space surveillance system project.

The National Science and Technology Information AI and Computing Hub Center construction project will build a facility that can integrate and operate science and technology information infrastructure supporting the use of computing, AI and research data. The AI mobility comprehensive demonstration complex development project will build a development environment and demonstration base to shorten the development and mass-production period for software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and support the domestic auto industry's transition to SDVs.

The large-scale green hydrogen production technology development and demonstration project aims to secure large-scale green hydrogen production capabilities based on a domestically produced commercial water electrolysis system. The K-Engine project aims to build a full life-cycle development system for aircraft engines that can be installed in next-generation aircraft and to secure independent development capabilities. The radar space surveillance system project will build a radar surveillance system that can detect space objects over the Korean Peninsula in all weather conditions.

The selected projects will be reviewed by a specialist review group made up of experts in each field over about the next eight months. Unlike the previous pre-feasibility review, it will conduct in-depth reviews by subcommittee for at least three months, including intensive on-site reviews lasting 2 to 3 days. It will check project implementation plans and technology readiness levels, and it will expand opportunities for communication between the ministries in charge and the review group by more than twice the level under the pre-feasibility review.

Park said that pre-feasibility reviews were abolished for the first time in 18 years and that a tailored pre-screening system for large-scale R&D based on the Framework Act on Science and Technology has begun in earnest. He added that he will actively support the timely 추진 of key national projects so South Korea can leap to become a leading country in science and technology.