South Korea and Hungary:Results and Opportunities in Scientific Cooperation

József Pálinkás

President of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences

Why we are here?

The 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1989.

A special event that contributed greatly to this process: the 1988 Olympic Games of Seoul, an outstanding and memorable event for both nations.

Negotiations, lead by Park Chul-un, former minister of sports led to – on September 13, 1988 –announcement of sending permanent representatives to the two countries.

Bilateral relations Hungary was the first country of this region that

established diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea, on 1st of February 1989.

In the same year, several other Agreements were signed: Agreement on Cultural and Scientific Cooperation Agreement on Mutual Promotion and Protection of

Investment Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation

This created the basic conditions for many contacts in the field of economy, culture and science.

For Korea, diplomatic ties with Hungary were an impetus for extending relations with other countries of the region.

Economic relations in numbers

The trade relations started in the 1980’s, and the value of trade in 1986 did not exceed 4,8 m USD.

In 2006 the value of trade surpassed 1,6 billion dollars.

In 2007, Korean investment in Hungary was nearly 1 billion dollars.

Samsung and Hankook Tire are the biggest Korean investors in Hungary with manufacturing lines of TV components and tires.

Main trading goods are automobiles, electronic appliances, pharmaceutical and agricultural products.

Trade balance in 2005-2006

From the point of view of Hungary:

127 203

1 2021 415

-1 075-1 212-1 500

-1 000

-500

0

500

1 000

1 500

2 000

EXPORT IMPORT Trade balance

Cultural relations The Hungarian language in Korea:

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

The Hungarian tradition of classical music in Korea Hungarian composers, teachers and musicians are well

known in Korea. The Korean Liszt Society and the Korean Kodály Society in

Seoul regularly organise concerts and series of lectures.

Pro Cultura Hungarica medal awarded by the Hungarian Minister of Culture conferred

to four Koreans who made outstanding contributions to the development of bilateral cultural cooperation

Korean culture in Hungary Activities of the Hungarian-Korean Friendship Society

Scientific and Technological Cooperation

Hungarian- South-Korean intergovernmental co-operation in S&T Started in March 1989 mainly supporting mobility

Hungarian-Korean Technical Cooperation Centre (HKTCC) founded in 1992, operating at the Budapest University of Technology

and Economics Mediating the scientific and technological contacts

Co-operation of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences with the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF)

Starts in 1989 and supports mobility, project-based cooperation, exchange of know-how and methods.

Bilateral workshops held annually - Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, etc.

with the Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) Starts in 1999 and provide ramework for joint projects and seminars.

Scientific cooperation on EU level

24 currently running projects with Korean involvement in the the 6th and 7th Framework Programme

One of the latest initiatives in FP7 is KOReAn scientific cooperation NETwork with the European Research Area (KORANET):

Aims at increasing of Korean participation in the 7th Research Framework

Exchange best practices as regards the planning and implementation of S&T policies and international S&T cooperation

Hungarian partner: HKTCC

Major international research project to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of a fusion reactor.

Fusion power will be 10 times greater than the external power delivered to heat the plasma. Partners: the European Union, the Republic of Korea,

Japan, China, the Russian Federation, the United States and India.

Estimated costs: around 10 billion euros. EU covering about 50 % of the construction costs. Korea’s financial share in the construction is about 10% Hungarian experts play an active role the development.

International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)

Conditions for R&D

Large difference in state expenditure on R&D.

Better conditions for R&D in Korea.

Expenditure on R&D: 3,2% per cent of

GDP in Korea 0,97% of GDP in

Hungary

Expenditure and performance of R&D

Total spending 35886 m USD in Korea 1819 m USD in Hungary

–

Per capita spending: 740.5 USD in Korea 173 USD in Hungary

Industry in financing R&D: 75 % in Korea 44 % in Hungary

Industry in the performance of R&D: 77% in Korea 50% in Hungary

Hungary: output vs. investment A long tradition of outstanding scientific

accomplishment. Today: still an outstanding output in spite of

unfavorable economic conditions. Hungarian scientists are productive: publication

output above the EU average, while investment in R&D is half of its economic potential.

Hungary ranks 34th and 30th among 140 countries in the number of publications and citations.

Hungarian performance on EU grants: Of approximately 3650 current FP7 projects, 257 with

Hungarian involvement (7%) and 39 projects with a Hungarian principal investigator (1%)

ERC Starting Grant: Hungary is ranked 2nd in number of grants and per R&D expenditure and 4th per 1000 researchers.

ERC Advanced grants: Hungary is ranked 3rd in number of proposals per R&D expenditure and 9th in number of proposals per 1000 researchers.

World Science Forum Organized by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, in

partnership with UNESCO and ICSU on 5-7 November 2009.

Focus on "Knowledge and Future" Among the core themes: the approach of science to

sustainable development, to ecosystem services Heads of State panel on global issues related to science

and sustainable development 6 invited participants from Korea – more experience with

sustainable development than Hungary

Science for sustainable development:

Green New Deal in Korea „Green New Deal“ initiative of the Korean government:

USD 32 billion project for more efficient energy consumption, environmentally friendly homes, forestry, cleaning rivers, constructing bicycle paths, railways, etc.

Creating jobs in sectors producing/developing sustainable technology

Korea has one of the world’s largest solar power stations

Development of the exploitation of tidal power The initiative also mobilises scientific organisations

and funding agencies Cooperation in research on sustainable technologies

should be strengthened

Summary Results of the past 20 years:

Bilateral contacts and agreements on many fields

Strong cultural relations and increasing scientific cooperation

Boom of trade relations Perspectives for the next 20 years

Exchange of know-how and experience on the field of science funding and scientific education

Enhanced research cooperation on sustainable technologies

Strengthening of mutual cultural presence Further improvement of trade balance