One in 10 Lead Researchers Sidelined by 2024 South Korea R&D Budget Cuts

One in ten lead researchers lost their projects. The fallout from the 2024 South Korea R&D budget cuts has triggered a significant exodus of talent and projects from the national innovation landscape.

Analyzing the Impact of 2024 South Korea R&D Budget Cuts

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, the number of lead researchers in state-funded R&D projects dropped to 41,902 in 2024. That's an 11.2% decline from the previous year, showing how sweeping budget reductions directly impacted high-level scientific personnel.

Total government R&D spending for the year plummeted to 26.2 trillion won ($18.9 billion), a 9.6% decrease on-year. The number of active projects also fell by 13% to 60,696, while the total headcount of participating researchers shrank by 10.8%.

The Shift Toward Large-Scale Strategic Projects

The ministry says the decline reflects a strategic pivot toward larger, mission-oriented projects. While this intended to maximize efficiency, it reduced opportunities for smaller, foundational projects that often serve as the bedrock for scientific discovery. A government task force is currently assessing the long-term impact on the research workforce to mitigate potential brain drain.