PPP lawmaker introduces bill to honor industrial technology pioneers

A bill has been introduced to establish a national system for recognizing and supporting engineers and technologists who have contributed to South Korea's industrial and technological development.

People Power Party lawmaker Koo Ja-keun said Thursday that South Korea achieved remarkable economic growth through industrialization — a foundation on which democracy also took stable root — but that systematic recognition and support for the engineers who drove that technological progress has still been lacking.

Critics have long noted a legislative gap: laws honoring those who contributed to democratization and to scientific and technological advancement are already in place, yet no equivalent framework exists for the engineers and technologists who led the country's industrialization.

The proposed legislation focuses on designating engineers with outstanding contributions to national industrial and technological development as "industrial technology meritorious persons" and establishing a legal basis for their recognition and support.

The bill includes provisions for a formal designation system for industrial technology meritorious persons, the establishment of five-year support plans, the creation of a screening committee, the operation of an Industrial Technologists Hall of Fame, invitations to industry-related events with appropriate protocol, participation in industrial technology policy advisory roles, and support for retirement extensions and rehiring at government-funded research institutions.

The bill also lays the groundwork for the government to support retirement extensions and rehiring so that designated meritorious persons can continue research, development and technology innovation beyond retirement age — a measure expected to help preserve the country's core technological assets and support the training of the next generation of engineers.

"South Korea's industrial competitiveness was built on the dedication and drive of countless industrial technologists," Koo said. "We must put in place the institutional foundation so that those who have contributed greatly to national development receive the respect and recognition they deserve."

He added that building a society where engineers are respected is the path to strengthening future industrial competitiveness, and that he would work through the industrial technology meritorious persons system to create an environment where talented individuals can more actively pursue research, development and technological innovation.