As the K-Moonshot project signals a full-scale start, one of its mission program directors has offered to resign. The project aims to solve national challenges by applying artificial intelligence (AI) to science and technology, but has faced a challenge at the outset with the departure of a key official.

The Ministry of Science and ICT held a briefing on the K-Moonshot programme at the KT Building in Gwanghwamun on Thursday and shared progress and future plans.

AI scientist PD resigns... ministry says it will proceed without recruiting a successor

The government aims to double science and technology research productivity by 2030 through K-Moonshot and to solve 12 national missions across eight areas by 2035. The 12 missions are new drugs, brain-computer interfaces (BCI), solar cells, nuclear fusion, small modular reactor (SMR) ships, humanoids, physical AI, space, materials, AI scientists, semiconductors and quantum technology.

According to the ministry, Lee Min-hyeong (이민형), chief executive of AsterMorp, who serves as the programme director for the AI scientist area, has recently offered to resign. Kim Sung-soo, the ministry's head of research and development, said, "CEO Lee Min-hyeong recently submitted his resignation for personal reasons." Lee's resignation is expected to be accepted after Bae Kyung-hoon, deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, returns from an overseas trip.

Twelve K-Moonshot programme directors were selected through an open call on May 21. Lee drew industry attention after reports highlighted his young age of 24 and news of AsterMorp's 42 billion won investment. But controversy spread online over Lee's academic background and career. Lee has indicated he will review legal action over false information. The ministry plans to proceed by having the head of the National Science AI Research Center concurrently serve in the role, without a new recruitment for a successor programme director.

Concerns over PD system that grants authority but no approval power

From the outset, the K-Moonshot project has raised concerns about the precise role of programme directors and the scope of their authority. Critics said control mechanisms should be specified because programme directors are given authority over task planning, programme coordination and resource allocation. Others also questioned how much programme directors' views can be reflected in actual programme planning and budget adjustments when they have no approval authority.

The ministry said programme directors have broad authority, including planning roadmaps for key mission projects and coordinating task composition and planning. Next month, it will convert programme directors, who are currently expert advisers, into specially appointed researchers directly under the National Science and Technology Research Council (NST). In the conversion process, a special recruitment committee led by external members will conduct a document review. The ministry will also restrict profit-making work by applying general provisions of the conflict-of-interest prevention law applicable to public duties. It will apply K-Moonshot programme operation and management rules next month so that projects and tasks in which a programme director is a principal investigator or has an interest cannot be reviewed.

The ministry said it will operate both a task force involving vice minister-level officials and appointed experts, and an NST-led support team, so programme directors can properly exercise their planning, progress management and coordination authority for K-Moonshot. It is also reviewing a plan for programme directors to directly participate in meetings of ministers related to science and technology and present their views. It also plans to establish a programme director accountability system through annual and milestone evaluations.