When looking at the past half-century,government policy in regard to science and technology was primarily focused on absorbing advanced technology of western world and transferring it to the private sector to boost the industry. It has been barely 20 years since the government began to allocate funds to universities and laboratories researching basic science. In spite of this relatively brief time,the value and achievements created by Korean researchers could be seen as nothing short of a miracle.

My own experience illustrates the changing scientific atmosphere in South Korea. In 1982,when I was teaching at Seoul National University,the number of so-called SCI papers published in Korea was no more than thirty. Thirty years ago,publishing papers in international journals was like a dream to our Korean researchers. As Donald Stokes illustrated in his book, Pasteur's Quadrant: Basic Science and Technological Innovation,scientific technology research is classified into three different categories which are as follows:pure basic research, use-inspired basic research and pure applied research. In the area of basic research, scientists focus on the exploration of natural phenomenon. This type is exemplified by the work of Dr. Niels Bohr, whose contributions added to understandings to verities of nature.

This area does not concern itself with the‘practical application’ of new discoveries, but fulfills innate curiosity of humankind and creates new knowledge. It is important to note that the process of creating a new basis for knowledge often requires a significant monetary investment with little hope of immediate financial payoffs.

The second type of research deals with the practical application of new discoveries with the goal of contributing to the overall advancement of society. This type of work, it may exemplified by Thomas Edison who not only wished to advance society but to also profit financially from application of new achievement to real world. Often, those involved in this type are less interested in ‘comprehensive’ exploration of natural phenomenon than in practical application. Often, in the end, it is business using knowledge.

The third type of research must possess characteristics of both Bohr and Edison. Through their efforts focused in acquisition of knowledge about nature, their research could be used to gain profits in real world. For an example of one such scientist, we can think of Louis Pasteur who discovered the existence of the Rabies pathogen, going on to develop vaccine forit. In doing so he not only pioneered a new field of modern science but also saved many lives and contributed real world and society.

Such men and women like Pasteur are held up as role-models in the modern world. In the eyes of many Koreans, the role of IBS should be to show performance similar to Pasteur. That is not to say that Koreans don’t appreciate the significance of Edison or Bohr, it does however highlight the fact that IBS must give attention to research with the greatest potential of having scientific value and to make a significant social contribution. This is the reality of 21st century research. It is worth saying that to achieve a breaking innovation such as Pasteur did, in today’s age of highly specialized science and technology, one should collaborate with researchers in other fields.

Collaboration is the hallmark of modern science,and begins with dialog. That’s why the role of hub for communication is required to IBS.
Through open dialog both within IBS and with other researching agents such as universities and laboratories, the culture of open discussion and collaboration would result in greater success. It is important to note that cooperation must not be limited to boundaries of one field but must reach into other disciplines. This interdisciplinary cooperation has limitless potential and holds the key to modern innovation.

To have the support of the people, it must benefit society. To this end, IBS should set serving a development of the society and humankind as its main tenet. Again, though this may be the primary goal, we must admit that pure science plays a large part. Plainly stated, results of basic scientific research must not be hurried. Mapping uncharted land is painstaking and time-consuming work, like discovering innovative research outcome.

For this reason, the effort put into research becomes extremely important. Academic study at it’s core, is exploration. It is important for the researcher to carefully explore the uncharted land and leave a map for future researchers. In science, the map is the research paper. Conversely, unfaithfully written papers create false maps leading future researchers to a wrong or even bad direction. Certainly, the requirement for researchers to publish a good research paper is a heavy burden. But to obtain great scientific accomplishment, researcher should value quality over quantity. To achieve professional standing,one must consistently do so, therefore, the most essential virtues for the researcher is honesty and patience.

In many ways, the establishment of IBS is comparable to turning a new page in the history of science and technology in Korea. It is the job of IBS members to elaborate and fill the chronicles with true accomplishments. IBS has already become a source of national pride by illustrating to the international community the importance which Korea places on research for basic science. By contributing to mankind as a whole, IBS will become not only respected, but loved by Korean people.