On Tuesday, January 27, the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) signed an Academic–Research Exchange Agreement with Chung-Ang University (CAU) to promote academic and research exchanges and mutual development. The signing took place at 2:30 p.m. in the President’s Executive Meeting Room on the third floor of the Main Building at Chung-Ang University's Seoul Campus.

STEPI attendees included President Ji-woong Yoon, Vice President Chan-su Park, Ki-cheol Jeong (Director-General of the Planning and Management Division) and Myung-hwa Lee (Director of the Global Strategy Office). Those from CAU included President Sang-gyu Park; Maeng-je Sung, Vice President for Research; Chan-gyu Lee, Vice President for Administration; Hang-bae Jang, Director of Planning; and Seung-ju Lee, Dean of the College of Social Sciences.

Recognising the importance of cooperation between universities and policy research institutes in the field of science, technology and innovation policy research, as well as in the cultivation of advanced talent, the two institutions agreed through this agreement to expand academic and research exchanges across the fields of research and education.

The two institutions will cooperate to establish a mutually beneficial relationship and strengthen research and educational cooperation in science, technology and innovation policy by:

1) jointly building a system for personnel exchanges

2) jointly planning and conducting research on science, technology and innovation policy and technology–society–policy convergence agendas

3) strengthening the system for research security and technology protection

4) jointly operating education and research exchange programmes, such as mutual special lectures and joint supervision

5) discussing measures to cooperate on student and researcher exchange programmes to cultivate future policy and research personnel

6) jointly hosting regular seminars, forums and workshops

7) sharing additional fields for cooperation

OneSun Cho, an Associate Research Fellow in the Innovation Growth Division at the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), received the Meheroo Jussawalla Award for the best paper at PTC’26 (Pacific Telecommunications Council 2026). The conference took place from Sunday, 18 January to Wednesday, 21 January at the Mid-Pacific Conference Center, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States.

Established in honour of Dr. Meheroo Jussawalla, who devoted her lifetime to researching telecommunications infrastructure and economic development, the Meheroo Jussawalla Award is presented to the researcher of the best paper presented at the PTC annual conference.

It is a particularly prestigious award, selected through a rigorous review process, for researchers in the fields of digital infrastructure, telecommunications and ICT. Associate Research Fellow Cho is the first Korean to receive the award as a sole researcher.

In the conference session titled “Infrastructure Dependency: Power and Play”, Associate Research Fellow Cho attracted attention by releasing a dataset analysing dependency in submarine cable networks and using it to analyse the diversity of national digital infrastructure security strategies.

This award is considered a significant achievement as it recognises the excellence of STEPI-led research on digital infrastructure innovation policy and security strategy with a best paper award at a globally authoritative international academic conference. It is also expected to strengthen Korea's position in future global discussions on digital infrastructure policy.

The Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) held the “Cambodia National Pilot Project: Ceremony Commemorating the Handover of the Renewable Energy-based Smart Water Purification and Supply Facility” on Thursday 15 January in Sdao Commune, Sesan District, Stung Treng Province, Cambodia.

Around 100 people attended the ceremony, including representatives from STEPI, the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS), the Mekong Institute (MI), the Cambodian National Mekong Committee (CNMC), the South Korean technology company L2E Solution and other key organisations involved in the project. Officials from Cambodia’s central and local governments and residents of Sdao Commune were also in attendance.

The ceremony officially transferred the “Renewable Energy-based Smart Water Purification and Supply Facility” to the local site. This facility uses solar-powered electricity and a multi-stage advanced water treatment process. It signifies the start of the system's full-scale operation, enabling a stable water supply even in environments with limited access to energy.

As the system can respond flexibly to seasonal variations in water quality, it is expected to improve the quality of life for residents of Sdao Commune by providing better access to domestic water and ensuring a stable supply of water for agriculture. It is expected that approximately 200 m³ of domestic water per day will be supplied, enabling 386 households and 1,637 residents to access safe drinking water. Additionally, up to 1,000 m³ of agricultural water per day can be supplied, which is anticipated to offset reduced agricultural productivity during the dry season, thereby stabilising livelihoods and strengthening the resilience of local residents.

Chan-su Park, Vice President of STEPI, stated that this facility handover is an important milestone in strengthening the water–energy–food (WEF) security and climate resilience of local communities through renewable energy-based scientific and technological cooperation. He added that, as an example of the tangible results of South–South and triangular cooperation, they hope to achieve stable settlement based on local operational ownership.

Following the ceremony, capacity-building training was conducted for Cambodian central and local government officials, technical operators and local residents, covering facility operation and maintenance.

During the winter vacation period of the 2025 academic year, the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) took part in the 'Winter Vacation Neulbom Camp', organised by the Sejong Special Self-Governing City Office of Education. STEPI ran science lectures and hands-on programmes for local primary school pupils. STEPI's Hyeong-jun Ahn (Head of the Space Public Team), Hye-seon Lee (Associate Research Fellow) and Yuna Lee (Researcher) participated as instructors, delivering themed programmes on everyday science, space and energy, and sharing their scientific expertise with the children.

On Monday 12 January at Yeonyang Elementary School and Monday 19 January at Yeonbong Elementary School, Yuna Lee, Researcher at STEPI, explained the operating principles of solar cells and the energy conversion process at an appropriate level for students, under the theme 'Solar Light Energy'. She then conducted a hands-on activity in which students made a solar-powered mood light using solar panels and LEDs. As the children assembled their mood lights, they observed the process by which light energy is converted into electricity and then expressed as light again. They also gained an understanding of the use of renewable energy through everyday examples.

On Friday 16 January at Onbit Elementary School and on Wednesday 21 January at Areum Elementary School, Associate Research Fellow Hye-seon Lee introduced the concepts of humidity, humidification and drying under the theme 'Everyday Science', enabling students to experience scientific principles in daily life by making a simple humidifier using felt (a nonwoven fabric). Students also learned that drying speed varies depending on conditions such as temperature, wind, area and humidity. They conducted experimental activities using traditional Korean paper (hanji), through which they could directly observe, compare and explain this phenomenon.

On Friday 16 January at Yeongseo Elementary School and on Monday 19 January at Hangeul Elementary School, Head Hyeong-jun Ahn gave a lecture titled 'I Want to Become an Astronaut', in which he introduced the life of astronauts and shared stories about the space station. He then explained the principles of rocket propulsion using videos of successful launches such as those of Nuri and SpaceX, and gave the students time to make and launch air rockets together.

By operating the programme in a way that naturally connected 'imagining space as a career' (astronaut) with 'understanding principles' (propulsion) and 'hands-on practice' (air rockets), the children formed a connection with space and rocket technologies, demonstrating high levels of engagement.

On Thursday, 2 January 2026, the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) held its New Year’s Kick-off Ceremony at 10:00 a.m. in the main conference room on the 6th floor. All employees participated in the ceremony.

During the ceremony, appointment certificates were presented to the newly appointed researchers, Seon-young Hwang and Yuan Park.

The Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), together with the Basic Society Research Association and the Jeonbuk Research Institute, hosted the 467th STEPI Science and Technology Policy Forum on December 19 at the Wangui Jamil Convention Center in Jeonju. The forum explored how the rapid expansion of AI technology is transforming employment, education, care, public administration, and local services, while discussing policies to create a “basic society” suited to the AI era. In opening remarks, Professor Min-su Eun stressed that a basic society allows technology to serve human well-being and reduce inequality. Chan-su Park, STEPI Vice President, further noted that building an AI-based basic society requires an integrated approach across public infrastructure, governance, and education, rather than isolated welfare policies.

Representatives from both national and local institutions, including Han-joo Lee, Chairperson of the National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Kwan-young Kim, Governor of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province, emphasized joint central–local cooperation to ensure the AI transition improves inclusivity rather than deepening regional inequality. Seong-hwa Jang, Acting President of the Jeonbuk Research Institute, highlighted Jeonbuk’s need to use AI for structural transformation amid industrial and demographic challenges. Over six sessions divided into two tracks, participants examined diverse policy areas—from employment and public infrastructure to education, local autonomy, and social care—framing AI development as both a challenge and an opportunity for equitable social progress.

In Track 1, Associate Research Fellow Ki-yoon Shin of STEPI analyzed the evolving job structures caused by AI, while Ki-cheol Jeong, STEPI Director-General, proposed innovation strategies for building AI-enabled public infrastructure that supports citizens’ basic livelihoods. The discussions, joined by scholars from the Gyeonggi Research Institute and STEPI, converged on the need for region-specific policy design, stronger multi-level governance, and an expanded public-sector role to mitigate risks like job instability and unequal access to services. Across all sessions, experts agreed on the importance of establishing social safety nets, fostering solidarity, and redefining public responsibility in guiding AI-driven transformation toward inclusive and sustainable development.

The Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) held the “466th Science and Technology Policy Forum” on Wednesday, December 17, at 3:00 p.m., at Pine Hall (3rd floor), Interciti Hotel Daejeon, under the theme “Exploring Global Science and Technology Strategies in the Era of Technological Hegemony.”

This forum was organized to explore comprehensive science and technology strategies through diversified cooperation by region and actor, amid the growing need for multi-dimensional and pragmatic response strategies in accordance with domestic and external environmental changes resulting from intensified technological hegemony.

The Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) held the Ghana RIIMS Development Workshop on December 16 in Accra, bringing together about 40 officials from Ghana’s government and research institutions to advance the development of the Research & Innovation Information Management System (RIIMS). As part of the 2025 International Technology Innovation Cooperation Program, STEPI presented a pilot web design for RIIMS, aimed at organizing and utilizing national-level data on research, development, and innovation. The workshop also explored governance structures, information standards, and operational strategies for full-scale system implementation.

In their remarks, Kwamena Essilfie Quaison, Director at Ghana’s Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), highlighted that Ghana is laying the groundwork for a robust national R&D and innovation system, citing the creation of the Ghana National Research Fund. He emphasized that cooperation with STEPI would help promote evidence-based policymaking. Professor Sunhwa Han, Senior Advisor to the project, described RIIMS as a “strategic foundation for national development,” stressing that sustained commitment from the Ghanaian government and stakeholders would be crucial for long-term success. Dongwook Seo, the project leader at STEPI, presented the outcomes from two years of field studies and unveiled the RIIMS pilot web platform, which was tailored to Ghana’s R&D environment and partially modeled on Korea’s National Science & Technology Information Service (NTIS).

Other experts, including Cheolsu Lim of KISTI and Professor Han, emphasized the importance of standardized databases and science infrastructure in supporting sustainable growth, referencing lessons from Korea’s own innovation journey. Ghanaian participants noted challenges such as fragmented R&D data and weak standardization across institutions, which hinder policy coordination. In response, STEPI’s project team announced plans to establish standardized data guidelines, a web-based input system, and improved legal and operational frameworks to ensure the sustainability of RIIMS and enhance Ghana’s capacity for science and innovation-led development.

The Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) and the Korean Association for Regulation Studies co-hosted the “2025 Technology Regulation Policy Research Conference” on December 12 at STEPI headquarters under the theme “Enhancing Companies’ Capacity to Respond to Regulations.” Conducted in a hybrid format, the event featured opening remarks from STEPI President Ji-woong Yoon and welcoming remarks from So-yeon Won, Vice President of the Association. The conference aimed to explore policy measures to support companies in navigating an evolving regulatory landscape through research presentations, case studies, and expert discussions.

In his remarks, President Yoon emphasized the growing need for regulatory reform that fosters technological innovation, encouraging stronger collaboration between government and industry to build an “innovation-friendly regulatory system.” Vice President Won noted that despite Korea’s top ranking in the OECD regulatory policy evaluation, many companies still perceive limited progress on the ground, underscoring the importance of effective communication and cooperation between stakeholders to achieve meaningful regulatory innovation.

The conference featured three main presentations and a panel discussion. Hae-ok Choi, Research Fellow at STEPI, analyzed 15 successful companies across eco-friendly, digital/AI, and safety sectors to identify traits that enable effective regulatory responses. Seung-yoon Lee, Associate Research Fellow, conducted a quantitative study of over 3,300 companies using Korea Innovation Survey data, drawing policy implications for improving regulatory adaptability. Kwang-ho Lee, Director at STEPI, presented strategies to enhance firms’ regulatory response capacity by linking regulatory innovation with corporate capability building. The event concluded with a panel discussion led by Professor So-yeon Won, joined by experts from Hanbat National University, KDI, and Kwangwoon University, who shared insights on designing more efficient, supportive regulatory systems for innovation-driven growth.

The Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) hosted the “WEF-X Nexus, Innovation and Partnerships: From Pilots to Pathways in the Mekong-ROK, and Beyond” forum on December 4–5 at The Plaza Hotel Seoul. The event highlighted the achievements of the Korea–UNDP Phase III (P-LINK) cooperation project (2021–2025) and explored strategies to expand science and technology-based collaboration between Korea and the Mekong region. Around 50 participants attended, including representatives from the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), the Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS), the Mekong Institute (MI), government officials from Laos, Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Thailand, and experts from international organizations and tech firms.

During the opening session, key partners shared reflections on the project’s five-year impact. MSIT’s Seong-hoon Hwang emphasized that P-LINK Phase III delivered tangible progress in addressing water, energy, and food security challenges through innovations such as smart water management systems and renewable energy-based water purification. STEPI President Ji-woong Yoon highlighted the institute’s collaborative policy and technology demonstrations with Mekong partners, while MRCS CEO Busadee Santipitaks and UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib underscored the need for scaling up pilot successes into integrated policy, financing, and capacity-building models, framing P-LINK as a model of effective South–South and triangular cooperation.

The forum consisted of four key sessions that examined lessons from P-LINK pilot projects, strategies for scaling sustainable WEF-X nexus initiatives, regional capacity building, and pathways to mainstream science and technology-based policies in the Mekong and Asia-Pacific regions. Participants, including experts from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), shared strategies to strengthen data-based decision-making, integrate regional cooperation platforms, and expand partnerships at multiple governance levels. The event concluded with a discussion on the next phase of cooperation (P-LINK II), emphasizing the creation of a resilient, science-driven policy ecosystem. A keynote address by Lorenzo Santucci of UN ESCAP and video presentations of country achievements rounded out the forum’s showcase of meaningful Korea–Mekong collaboration.