[fn Editorial] Science and Engineering Scholars Going Abroad, Talent Policy Pouring Water into a Bottomless Pit

Another Korean science and engineering scholar has left the country. This time, Song Ik-ho, an honorary professor who set the record for the youngest appointment at KAIST, has moved abroad. He moved to the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, which is on the U.S. sanctions list. Before Professor Song, top-level researchers such as Lee Ki-myung, former deputy director of the Korea Institute for Advanced Study, Lee Young-hee, a chair professor at Sungkyunkwan University, Hong Soon-hyung, an honorary professor at KAIST, and Kim Soo-bong, a former professor at Seoul National University, have left. All of them are heading to China.

The departure of science and engineering scholars from the country should be seen not as a personal choice but as an event that clearly shows the structural loopholes in our country's talent management. The reason they abandon Korea and go abroad is clear. It is because the environment for scholars who have passed their retirement age to continue their research domestically is not properly established. In fact, scholars considering moving to China point out the lack of a system to utilize scholars domestically. In the case of KAIST, there is a system that allows research to continue even after retirement. However, it comes with the stringent condition of having to secure research projects worth more than 300 million won annually. On the other hand, China provides not only research funds but also housing and children's education expenses as generous incentives, attracting domestic talents.

The problem is that domestic science and engineering scholars are leaving one after another, yet it is not being recognized as a serious situation. There is concern that it might be mistaken as just an elderly scholar leaving after retirement. However, the presence of science and engineering scholars is unique. Generally, when a scholar in science and engineering leaves, the research project they led disappears entirely with them. Decades of accumulated research know-how, international networks, and research ecosystems collapse in an instant. Moreover, as the laboratories and research teams they operated are dismantled, not only is the subsequent research cut off, but the next generation of researchers who have been dedicated to related research are also affected.

The more serious fact is that while domestic science and engineering scholars are being taken abroad, the government is planning to secure science and engineering talents. What is the difference between the idea of attracting new talents while losing already verified talents abroad and pouring water into a bottomless pit? Furthermore, attracting foreign talents requires providing massive incentives. Even if living conditions are properly prepared and love calls are made, it is difficult to bring them to Korea. Similarly, it takes enormous resources and a lot of time to nurture science and engineering talents domestically.

The nurturing and securing of science and engineering talents is an issue on which the future of the nation depends. From that perspective, it is time to comprehensively review the fundamental measures for nurturing science and engineering talents. While nurturing new talents is important, if existing talents are not properly utilized, all efforts will inevitably be in vain. An environment must be created where scholars who wish to continue research after retirement can do so stably to prevent further departures.