Ku Hyuk-chae (구혁채), first vice minister of science and ICT, met labor and management at government-funded research institutes on Sept. 17 and discussed directions for reforming research and development funding and the evaluation and compensation system after the abolition of the project-based system, or PBS.

The workshop was arranged to discuss key issues at science and technology research sites. Ku heard researchers' views on securing R&D funding and reforming the evaluation and compensation system following the abolition of PBS. He also exchanged views with labor and management on the policy direction for Post-PBS.

After the abolition of PBS was confirmed as a government policy task, the Ministry of Science and ICT is working to overhaul operating systems at government-funded research institutes. It is seeking to create an environment that allows researchers to focus through stable labor cost support and the specialization of common administration. It is also pursuing the creation of a strategic research program and reforming evaluation and compensation systems centered on performance.

It is also expanding communication to reduce uncertainty in the field. Recently, it has been holding a "visiting policy briefing session for government-funded research institutes" by visiting 23 research institutions to explain the setting of core missions, the preparation of mid- to long-term R&D portfolios, reforms to performance-based compensation systems and exceptional commissioned research standards.

Ku said, "In the process of transitioning to a new research system, we will continuously check how the actual system operates in the field and supplement what is needed."