Science and Technology Korea's prowess in science and technology has been growing steadily since the 1980s, as the country's rapid economic development created demands for more advanced and dynamic research and development activities across all sectors. Investments in R&D have increased 45-fold from US$430 million in 1981 to US$19.38 billion in 2004, while technology investment per gross domestic product has soared from 0.62 percent to 2.85 percent during the same period. This growth has led to an increasing number of international patent applications and research papers registered with science citation indices. In addition, Korea ranked fifth in the world on the science and technology achievement indicator developed by the UN. Development Program which takes into account patent registration, technology exports and overall education levels. The number of people working in the field of science and technology surged from 18,500 in 1980 to 210,000 in 2004. In order to lead an economic upsurge through emphasis on science and technology, the Government promoted the Minister of Science and Technology to Deputy Prime Minister in October 2004 and launched the Science and Technology Innovation Office as a center for establishing the nation's science and technology innovation system.


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