Challenges and opportunities of mission-oriented innovation policy in Korea

This study provides a comprehensive understanding of how Korea implements mission-oriented innovation policies (MOIPs), and offers guidance on how to design, co-ordinate, and implement MOIPs in the country. As part of a series of MOIP national reviews, the paper finds that Korea has made significant efforts to embrace a mission-oriented approach, setting several overarching MOIP frameworks and specific MOIP initiatives. This work builds upon a long history of central co-ordination of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policies implemented in a number of STI and sectoral public bodies. MOIPs in Korea are the latest attempt to provide STI with more direction in order to prioritise technological development that both benefits Korean society and drives competitiveness. The study concludes with options for change, including simplifying prioritisation exercises for sectors and technologies across government, and exploring how the government can better support its societal missions to drive more transformative outcomes.