Theme of the World Science Forum 2008 Seoul : Rediscovering the Brain, Power of Creative Knowledge

What is the difference between man and beast? Man possesses a brain that is incomparably more complex and diverse in its functions. However, despite the extensive research that has already been done on its mechanisms and functions, the brain still remains a vast unknown territory. Thus, in the field of natural sciences, brain research is the last "Blue Ocean" of the 21^st century, and the US National Science Foundation forecasted that BT/NT-related "fusion technologies centered around the brain" would be the field which would create the biggest added value in the future.

Based on such prospects, the US and EU have already begun their "Decade of Brain" projects, and Japan has designated the 21st century as the Century of the Brain. China has also joined the race by pursuing brain research on a national level. As such, leading powers around the globe are competitively investing in brain research.

Considering the paramount importance of brain research, Korea has already enacted the "Brain Research Promotion Law", and in 2003, launched a "Special Task Force Team" as part of the national research and development projects of the Ministry of Science and Technology. With the aim of joining the 7 most powerful "brain" countries within the coming decade, the government also decided in 2007 to invest a total of one hundred fifty billion Korean Won in brain research over the next 10 years.