Park In-gyu (박인규), head of the Science and Technology Innovation Office at the Ministry of Science and ICT, visited the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) in Seoul on Thursday to inspect research data collection and management sites and hold a meeting with researchers.

The visit was arranged to hear views from the research field following the promulgation on June 9 of the Act on the Promotion of National Research Data Management and Utilisation.

Park reviewed development work at KIST's Characterisation Data Center on a digital transformation platform for measurement and analysis data from research equipment. The platform automatically collects data produced by research equipment, including electron microscopes, and supports online reuse and analysis.

He then discussed with researchers from KIST's Characterisation Data Center, its AI research group and its AIX Strategy Office ways to collect high-quality research data while reducing administrative burdens.

Park said he would ensure that registering and managing research data becomes a natural, everyday environment for researchers rather than an unwanted assignment. He said he would create a virtuous cycle in which researchers who produce research data with high quality and usefulness receive rewards.