과학기술자의 지위에 관한 법제의 현황과 개선방안

The social status of scientists and engineers in Korea has been downgraded since the so called IMF Financial Crisis in 1997 despite the Korean Constitution has an explicit provision to protect the rights of scientists and engineers. The legislation to implement the relevant provision of the Constitution is minimal, if exists. It is very necessary to improve the social treatment and financial supports for scientists and engineers in order to attract talented teenagers to the area of science and technology. It is important to make the job of scientists and engineers worthwhile to pursue it for life-long. The authors’ aim in this article, therefore, is to propose a new legislation for enhancing the socio-economic status of scientists and engineers in Korea by honoring them with social appreciation and supporting them with financial means. For this aim, the authors, firstly, address the present status of scientists and engineers in Korea under the current law. Secondly, we review the legislations for scientists and engineers of other countries such as the US, EU, Japan and China. Thirdly, based on the review of foreign legislative means, we consider new legal menas for promoting socio-economic status of scientists and engineers. For that purpose, the authors try to define the rights and duties of scientists and engineers under the Korean Constitution. Then, This article seeks the ways to improve the laws for (1) securing social treatment of scientists and engineers and (2) enhancing economic rewards for scientists and engineers. The authors put emphasis on, inter alia, job security for scientists and engineers so that they can work until they voluntarily retire. Also, it will be important to provide them with an opportunity to utilize their talents and experience even after retirement. In addition, monetary incentives such as research funds and compensation for their research results such as inventions and written works should be given justly and systematically. The authors also proposed various other ideas to reward for the contributions of scientists and engineers to our society. We expect this article be of assistance to provide a guide for improving present legal system in enhancing socio-economic status of scientists and engineers.