The Yoon administration’s decision to cut the country’s research and development (R&D) budget for 2024 by 15% from the previous year sparked intense backlash from the research community, raising concerns about South Korea’s ability to maintain its competitive edge in the global technology market.

The initiative was met with intense criticism, as exemplified by a recent incident at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). During a graduation ceremony, a student protested against the budget cut while President Yoon Suk-yeol delivered his speech.