President Park Geun-hye urged scientists and information-communication technology experts Friday to work harder to develop new technologies and innovate, saying South Korea can’t afford any stalling in such efforts in a fast-moving global economy.

“New technologies and industries are now moving forward at a dazzling pace in many parts of the world,” Park said in a speech at a New Year’s meeting with leaders of the science-technology and ICT sectors. “We don’t have any time to hesitate.”

The science-technology and ICT sectors are the main areas where South Korea can excel, she said.

Park stressed that state-invested research centers should focus on developing new technologies, play the role of R&D centers for smaller firms and provide technological support for them.

Universities should also work harder to foster talent in those areas, she said.

Since taking office last year, Park has repeatedly called for technological innovations under her trademark “creative economy” policy aimed at blending information technology with culture and other realms to create novel industries and more jobs.

The policy is also one of the three pillars of a three-year program to boost the economy that Park announced during her New Year’s news conference earlier this week to spur growth and increase per capita income.

“Just as science-technology and ICT had served as a driving force behind the ‘Miracle on the Han River’ and national development, I hope all of you here will play a leading role in realizing the economic renaissance,” Park said. (Yonhap News)