Vietnamese intellectuals and scientists attend a seminar on research activities, cooperation in science and technology, held by the Vietnamese Embassy in South Korea on May 15, 2022. (Photo: VNA)

The publication said as of November, up to 22,000 foreign researchers had registered to join the South Korean government’s research and development (R&D) projects, 62.2% of which belong to the top 5 countries.

Foreign researchers account for 3.2% of South Korea’s scientific researchers, most of whom participate in the advanced biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and semiconductor industries.

The report is based on information about foreign researchers who registered in the Integrated Research & Development Information System (IRIS), which came into operation in 2023. IRIS helps analyze the current state of foreign sci-tech human resources in R&D activities nationwide, focusing on the advanced biotechnology sector.