□ The IBS announced on June 12th that the government’s proposed relocation of the IBS to Expo Park may finally provide an end to the deadlock over attempts to purchase land for the science belt.

◯ The IBS has postponed investment in both its heavy ion accelerator and construction of its headquarters because of the impasse. The institute has also had difficulty hiring a first-rate head of research because of the reduced budget resulting from the anticipated cost of purchasing land. The government’s offer was therefore welcomed with considerable relief, and the proposal is expected to resolve some crucial issues for the IBS.

◯ Some people have voiced concerns about the proposed relocation of IBS headquarters because they think it would have adverse effects. The IBS responded accordingly with the following summary to alleviate such concerns, and to explain to Daejeon’s citizens why Expo Park is the best choice:

□ First, relocating the IBS to Expo Park will significantly benefit the institute.

◯ Relocating the IBS to a location near Daedeok Science Town will bolster more than 30 other government-funded research institutes, including KAIST. The move will also boost convergence and integration research. The area features more than 10 public facilities, government-funded institutes, 14 public-sector institutes, five educational facilities, and 1,300 companies that could benefit from the value-creating synergistic effects.

◯ Having the research center located downtown is a great way to attract scientists with excellent credentials. The original location in Dungok district lacks the educational and cultural infrastructure that many prospective talented scientists would look for in a new workplace. Conversely, the residential areas surrounding Expo Park do have such an infrastructure. Relocating to Expo Park would therefore reduce the burden on taxpayers, and save time hiring the right people to join the IBS.

◯ Moving to Expo Park would not involve any transfer of land ownership, which would accelerate the construction of IBS headquarters by two years. The move would put the science belt project back on track by making up for the delays caused in the initial stages. If everything goes ahead as planned, the science belt will finally secure a location for its headquarters.

□ Changing the IBS location from Dungok district to Expo Park will not affect the operation of the heavy ion accelerator.

◯ Only a few of the IBS’s 50 research groups will work on the heavy ion accelerator; most will focus on mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and integrated fields of basic science.

◯ If the IBS moves to Expo Park, the heavy ion accelerator will be housed in a specially designed building located about 10 km away (as the crow flies) from the proposed IBS headquarters at Expo Park, making it easily accessible for commuting researchers.

□ Some residents are concerned that relocating the IBS to Expo Park will reduce the amount of local greenery. However, while IBS buildings will be off limits to the general public, the rest of the grounds will remain part of Expo Park. The grounds will be as green and accessible to the public as they are now, and will boast just as many public facilities. The IBS will also offer citizens scientific and cultural opportunities, such as science open days, exhibitions, and sporting events.

□ Many major cities are moving research centers, universities, and other knowledge-based facilities downtown, where living standards are high and transportation services are excellent, in order to boost their local economies.

◯ The WISTA Science and Technology Park in Berlin-Adlershof, Germany was once an experimental cluster that planted research facilities in an urban setting. Today it is considered one of Europe’s representative science parks.

The science park comprises 11 scientific research centers, Humboldt University Research Center, and more than 1,000 science-based corporations, businesses, and media companies. Young international talents flock to Berlin-Adlershof because it is fast becoming Europe’s science and business hub.

◯ The Francis Crick Institute in London, Cornell University’s New York Campus, and Johns Hopkins Science and Technology Park in Maryland are some of the largest science-based sites being developed in downtown areas today.

◯ Adopting strategies to develop scientific hubs in major cities has attracted exceptional talents, boosted the local economies, and offered the areas a renewed vibrancy. Based on such precedents, moving the IBS to Daejeon’s Expo Park (itself an iconic science center) will produce many positive effects by enhancing the city’s image as a creative and economic powerhouse.