The Korean Ministry of Information and Communication announced on January 11 that it will spend 695 billion Won through 2010 to improve the country's IT components and materials industries. Korea is one of the world's largest exporters of IT products, including mobile phones and LCDs, but a large amount of core components, such as LPD modules and smart power management ICs are imported from overseas. The ministry will particularly focus on the SoC (System-on-Chip) industry, including establishing fabless companies and testing facilities, and supporting the marketing of these products. Furthermore, the government aims for 1,000 SoC engineers with advanced degrees in Korea by 2010.

 

Another part of the project involves R&D for technologies which can make fusion technologies and integrated micromachines, which the government considers to be important future components in the IT industry. This R&D will be guided by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute.