[Korea.net News, Science / Tech, January 16 2008] Ambitious nanotechnology plan released

An ambitious government plan seeks to make Korea one of the top three countries for nanotechnology by 2020.

The Science and Technology Ministry announced Tuesday (Jan. 15) its “National Nanotechnology Roadmap (2007-2020)” for research and development in the field.

The Korea Nanotechnology Research Society drew up the plan, and will also hold a public hearing on the roadmap Thursday.

“By securing more than 50 of the finest international nanotechnologies by 2020, Korea will create a new industry to emerge as a top three nanotechnology power and control 20 percent ($500 billion) of the global nanotechnology market,” a ministry statement said.

The roadmap said Korean companies and institutions that use nanotechnology will earn $260 billion a year by 2015 and $500 billion a year by 2020, for about 20 percent of the global market.
The ministry also said, “Nanotechnology will lead the technological evolution of major domestic industries, and will be a growth engine for emerging sectors.”