• Park Ki-beom
• Senior Research Fellow

Park Ki-beom is a senior research fellow who has been working at STEPI since 2005 with a background in physics and a career that spans over various industries, academia, research institutions, and foreign countries. He primarily conducts research on human resource policy for science and technology and basic research policy.

1. How did you end up working for STEPI?

I received my PhD in Physics, but I came to the realization that the way I could contribute towards the field of physics was not to perform research on physics myself but to help others who were researching on physics. Accordingly, after accumulating experience and expertise over several careers, I applied for this position at STEPI. During my job interview, I was asked several short questions about my career. I answered ‘I had experience in working at both industries, the academia and research institute.' I am thankful that STEPI viewed my answer positively.

2. What was your most memorable experience while working for STEPI?

In terms of research, I would say that it was when I wrote my first report under my name. As for matters outside research, there are too many memorable experiences, however the time I spent with many seniors and juniors, especially at the Geumgangsan workshop, is what comes into my mind first.

3. You have participated in many research efforts under many themes. What was your most challenging, and most rewarding research effort?

There are many shameful researches that come to mind but not much of rewarding researches. If I have to pick one, It would be the research that designed Korea's research ethics verification system immediately following the Hwang Woo-seok incident. This was my first commissioned research where I came in with little experience. But to my surprise, it led to the enactment of laws and regulations in a very short time, so I have a little pride in that my first commissioned research became the basis of Korea's research ethics so far.

4. What is the meaning of science and technology policies that you arrived at as a result of your experiences? (Based on the research you have conducted so far.)

In the field of physics (that I have studied), things can be divided into right and wrongs. On the contrary, I think policy research is not a question of right or wrong, but a question of which is marginally better. All policies are applied in a good way for some, while simultaneously bad for others. Thus, policy research is rather to think about what is more desirable for the country, as a whole. I feel the difficulty of policy research every day as I witness the once great and effective human resource policy for science and technology becoming the biggest stumbling block to the problem of scientific and technological personnel.

5. What steps are you taking to increase your capabilities? And what are the areas where you would like to challenge yourself based on these efforts?

I always do my best with the idea that I whatever I do could be wrong or better. As I mentioned earlier, since a good policy is to satisfy more persons concerned, I try to read, hear, and understand as many different viewpoints as possible. I would consider this as a challenge.

6. Everyone seems to have been in a slump. Have you ever experienced a slump during your research? If yes, please tell us about how you overcame it.

When I first entered this job and spent time wandering around in this field of policy, I reached a phase where I gained confidence and considered myself a so-called “expert." However, soon after, I again realized that there were so many things where I lacked knowledge, which made me embarrassed of the confidence I had earlier. That was my slump. Policies might need cold logic, but they also require warm hearts. When I suffer from a slump in logic, I tend to focus more on what my heart desires. When I feel a slump in my heart, I tend to focus more on logic. To this day, I am still trying to overcome this.

7. How are you spending time outside of work? Do you have your own know-how to relieve stress or enjoy work life balance?

My problem is that I put too much weight on the life part rather than work. In particular, as I moved to Sejong, my life pattern seems to have changed significantly. When I'm stressed, I just go on a trip to Seoul. The moment I exit the Charyeong Tunnel, all my stress disappears.

8. 2021 is only a few months away. Do you have any plans or wish before this year ends?

It's kind of embarrassing to say, but I've never made yearly plans. But for me, I think next year will be a small turning point in my life. I am planning to prepare for it little by little.

9. Please give any words or advice to students who dream of becoming science and technology policy researchers or junior researchers.

I’m not sure if this qualifies as an advice, but I think policy is a reconciliation process of interests. When dealing with policies, It is important to think about what it would be like if I or my family were the targets of this policy. If it's a policy that I cannot recommend to my family, I won't undertake the policy and I don't want to write it. This resulted in less work, which is good.

10. Lastly, if you have any mottos, or slogans, what would they be?

I believe our work is a job that ends with 'writing.' Philosopher Adorno once said, "The desire of an intellectual is not to transform the world, but to wait for at least one person to read what they have written." My hope is that no one will curse while reading at what I have written in the future.