The Trend of Governmental Investment on HCI-Related Research to Solve Social Problem in Korea

As both the demand for quality of life and the speed of social change are increasing, solving structural problems of society is becoming important. In particular, as not only the proportion of technological drivers in many social changes increases, but also searching for solutions using advanced science and technology is being actively discussed, the interaction between technology and human/society is become important research object for social problem. The purpose of this paper is to show the importance and main characteristics of HCI in Korean governmental research investment, especially relations to solving social problems. The R&D budget of FY2009, 2013, and 2017 were analyzed, and some characteristics are analyzed in terms of different indices, such as research and experimental development stages, the type of research-conducting agent, and the socio-economic purpose in view of social problem solving. In this study, HCI related categories were carefully selected using Korea's standard science and technology classification system. These empirical analysis will provide practical implications for the role of HCI technology in the policy for solving social problems.