The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister Lee Jong-ho) announced on the thirtieth that it held the twelfth National Ultra High Performance Computing Committee and deliberated and confirmed the third National Ultra High Performance Computing Fostering Basic Plan (2023-2027).

Since May 2022, the Ministry of Science and ICT has formed and operated a planning general committee and 4 subcommittees wherein about 60 private experts and utilization researchers in the sphere of ultra-high performance computing participate, and proposed through public hearings and consultations with related ministries. He explained that the third basic plan was prepared.

The third basic plan is to realize the vision of ‘realizing a number one nation in science and technology by strengthening ultra-high-performance computing capabilities in preparation for the exascale era’ by ‘securing ultra-high-performance computing technology and infrastructure to speed up scientific technology and economic/social innovation’. set a goal of

To this end, 4 key directions and 10 strategies were presented: support for innovation by application field, reinforcement of access to ultra-high-performance computing resources, advancement right into a technological powerhouse, and expansion of the ecosystem base.

Initially, support for expanding the usage of ultra-high performance computing in various fields can be systematized, and revolutionary utilization results can be created and industrial applications can be promoted.

Set the ratio of resource allocation by sector in order that the national center’s ultra-high-performance computer can support the innovation demands of assorted researchers and industries, and introduce a fast-track system (fast track system) to support essential and urgent pending issues.

Strengthen the strategic and fairness of resource allocation by expanding the participation of external experts in resource allocation evaluation, and improve the ultra-high-performance computing resource support system by providing demand-tailored resource and technology support through role division between the national center and the specialized center. to advance

As well as, ultra-high-performance computing is actively used to resolve public and life-related issues equivalent to meteorology, life and health, marine, and national defense to support problem solving and policy establishment. Create revolutionary utilization results by expanding support for technology development in the sphere of breaking through limits.

Specifically, so as to promote the usage of ultra-high-performance computing in industries where the utilization of ultra-high-performance computing is low, we develop modeling and simulation technologies, artificial intelligence (AI)-based simulation technologies, etc., and develop R&D service businesses to support the utilization of ultra-high performance computing by various firms and researchers nurture

Second, strengthen ultra-high-performance computing resources quantitatively and qualitatively by expanding world-class ultra-high-performance computing base (infrastructure) and establishing a joint utilization system.

With the intention to secure and operate world-class ultra-high-performance computing resources that meet the national R&D investment scale and innovation capability level, the National Center ultra-high-performance computer unit 6 is built and operated, and the introduction of unit 7 is ready. With the intention to respond in a timely manner, the establishment and operation of an auxiliary system for the national center may also be promoted.

As well as, resources for ultra-high-performance computing specialized centers considering the characteristics of every field can be expanded, and a single window technical support service can be established to supply efficient operation of assorted ultra-high-performance computing resources and user-centered services. To enhance the utilization of ultra-high-performance computing equipment, strengthen the joint use of computing resources by transferring retired resources and strengthening sharing of research equipment.

Third, so as to achieve self-sufficiency within the introduction, utilization and operation of ultra high performance computing, a mid- to long-term implementation plan (technology roadmap) for ultra high performance computing is established and the inspiration for industrial growth is laid by discovering public demand.

Based on the evaluation of technology, policy, and market environment, establish a technology-specific implementation plan (technology roadmap) that features strategic derivation of core technologies that require self-development and step-by-step goal setting for fostering an industrial ecosystem, based on which a self-development system secure strategic technology applicable to the industry and promote system development led by the industry.

In the long run, it’s going to expand next-generation computing research and development, equivalent to AI semiconductors and in-memory computing technology, and proceed to support quantum computing technology development to preemptively reply to future computing systems (paradigms).

As well as, public demand can be created to use and spread ultra-high-performance computing R&D achievements, and collaboration between industry, academia, and research institutes throughout the whole R&D process can be strengthened. As well as, to advertise the commercialization of domestic technology, a test and certification system for high-performance computing products applied with latest technology is ready, and performance verification methods for ultra-high-performance computing systems are studied.

Lastly, the inspiration for the ultra-high-performance computing ecosystem can be expanded by fostering professionals who will develop, utilize, and operate technology in a balanced way and strengthen the operation of assorted consultative bodies.

Establishment of specialised training for overall technology development, utilization, and operation, fostering latest experts through industry-university cooperation programs and expansion of practice opportunities, and enhancing the expertise of field personnel by activating capacity-building programs equivalent to field-customized training and problem-solving education improve

Expand the inflow of future generations by developing educational contents for elementary, middle, and highschool students and gifted science students and expanding experience programs for teenagers, and spread public awareness of ultra-high-performance computing by discovering promotional contents and promoting online and offline.

Establish a collaboration platform to advertise industry-university-affiliated community exchanges, establish a comprehensive index system for effective policy establishment, and create a foundation for sustainable development of ultra-high-performance computing, equivalent to statistical data generation.

In the long run, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to determine an annual implementation plan for the 22 implementation tasks of the third Basic Plan and check the implementation results to boost the execution power.

Vice Minister Oh Tae-seok of the Ministry of Science and ICT said, “Ultra-high-performance computing is growing in importance as a strategic asset beyond a core foundation (infrastructure) within the era of international technological hegemony as a result of the recent rapid increase in data and the advancement of artificial intelligence equivalent to super-giant artificial intelligence (AI).” Based on this third basic plan, Korea may also lay the groundwork to take a step closer to realizing a number one nation in science and technology by strengthening its ultra-high-performance computing capabilities and expanding its utilization base in science, technology, economy, and society as a complete.”

Reporter Lim Dae-jun ydj@aitimes.com