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Examining Korea's international science and business belt project through an evolutionary economic geography lens

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Abstract

In February of 2008, South Korea began planning a massive, multi-regional project, the International Science and Business Belt (ISBB) and Institute for Basic Science (IBS) that formally opened in mid-2018. This article examines the genesis of the ISBB/IBS vis-à-vis contemporary advances in Evolutionary Economic Geography (EEG) theory. Facets of EEG such as scale, government, and policy; the potential for non-firm organizations to contribute to innovation; and the importance of related and non-related variety help to assess current progress and future areas of potential as well as concern. Possible limitations to EEG theorizing along with corresponding suggestions for future inclusion are ventured. It is shown that Korea has a resiliency agenda spurred on by anticipatory need motivated by a steady deterioration of the country’s technology trade balance. In terms of policy, Korea is pursuing a devolution of power from the state to the regional level while deploying a revolutionary type policy with evolutionary characteristics. Spinoffs are envisioned from basic science research institutes. EEG should more firmly embrace this possibility, along with the fact that innovation policy potential may be bifurcated or multi-faceted depending on place-based realities. Possible applications for other NICs seeking to reposition their own economies are forwarded.

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Fig. 1

Source: Adapted from ISBB home page: https://www.ibs.re.kr/eng/sub01_03_01.do

Fig. 2

Source: ISBB Forum (2013) and various others; map by Changwoo Jeon

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Notes

  1. The ISBB Forum was held at the JW Marriott Hotel, Seoul, Korea, on 28 May, 2013. The event included speakers from some of the world’s premier technology generating hubs in addition to an informative session about the ISBB/IBS conducted by leading Korea-based scientists and government officials.

  2. Brevity precludes individual analyses of strengths and weaknesses associated with each of these places. For excellent reviews of technoparks in Korea, see generally Hong et al (2010) for Daejeon/Daeduk, Rhee(2008) for Gyeongbuk and Seo (2006) for Daegu.

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to gratefully acknowledge funding for this research provided by a competitive grant from the College of Education, Seoul National University, to thank Changwoo Jeon for the creation of the ISBB/IBS map, and to express appreciation to the editor and referees for their insights and assistance in bringing this contribution to fruition.

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  1. Economic Geography, Department of Geography Education, College of Education, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-Ro, Gwanak-Gu, Seoul, 08826, Korea

    Douglas R. Gress

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The Author participated as a paid consultant to a Washington-based firm contracted by the Korean government in conjunction with international scientist recruitment and retention issues related to the IBS. The consulting work concluded before the writing of this article commenced and no confidential information derived from the consulting work was used.

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Gress, D.R. Examining Korea's international science and business belt project through an evolutionary economic geography lens. GeoJournal 85, 1241–1255 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-019-10020-6

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