Keywords: economic security, economic interdependence, innovation policy, innovation system, innovation cluster

In the context of the development of globalization, the positions of countries in the world economic system are largely determined by the state of their economies. Under the influence of internationalization processes, the interdependence of national economic systems is constantly deepening, the effect of which for participants in economic relations is not the same and depends on the potential of the advantages that they have for a given period of time.¹ The issues of effective use of existing and acquired economic growth factors are closely linked to the problems of ensuring economic security and deserve special attention.

The Republic of Korea (ROK) is one of the countries that has long secured reliable economic security.

By itself, the interpretation of what it is - "economic security" - is quite complex and multifaceted. Since this article is devoted to this topic, we consider it possible to give here the most accurate, in our opinion, definition of this term, given by I. V. Andronova in her monograph "Foreign Economic Security of Russia: theory and Practice"(2010).

By economic security, the author notes, is meant "...such a state of the economic system in which it is able to provide: effective satisfaction of public needs, provided that the socio-political and military stability of the state is maintained at a sufficient level; technical, economic and technological independence, expanding the concept of economic independence, as well as invulnerability of the country from external and internal threats and influences; protection of economic interests... in the domestic and foreign markets, regardless of changes in the tactical goals of the state and the corresponding transformation of internal and external threats and influences " ².

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL INNOVATION SYSTEM?

The most important structural element and factor of economic security of the state is the national innovation system (NIS), which, as we believe, is at a very high level in the Republic of Korea. It is NIS that is able to ensure sustainable socio-economic development of the country on the basis of effective use of intellectual potential, generation, dissemination and introduction of new knowledge and technologies.

Globally, only two approaches to implementing innovation strategies are used: Euro-American and Sino-Japanese (although the latter is also typical for most Southeast Asian countries).

The first one is based on the growth of scientific and technical potential due to its own research and development; the second one is based on borrowing foreign achievements of scientific and technological progress.

The most striking example of the implementation of the second type of strategy is China, and no less striking is the widespread use of foreign experience in the development of the Republic of Korea. It is on this basis that the country has achieved great success in creating a number of industries - first of all, the competitive automotive industry and the industry for the production of electronics, computer and home appliances.

The experience of Kazakhstan in forming the NIS and using it as a factor of economic security of the country is also very interesting for the Russian economy.

The South Korean NIS has shown high efficiency in its operation. Table 1 shows the results of calculations of the values of the total (integral-

Table 1

Integral indicator of the level of economic security before the 2008 crisis

Note: Normalized integral indicators are calculated to compare the levels of economic security of States. Their definition is based on private indicators of economic security. At the 1st stage, normalized private indicators are calculated; at the same time, either thresholds or values accepted in a given country or established by the expert assessment method are taken as individual values of private indicators. Next, the total (integral) indicator is calculated, assuming that the security components of the national economy are equally important. Thus, based on the accepted assumptions and rules of rationing, we obtain a quantitative assessment of the levels of economic security. Without any physical meaning, these indicators allow us to judge how much the level of economic security has increased or decreased relative to the conditional threshold level, and also allow us to compare the level of security of different countries.

Source: Gordienko D. V. Economic security of Russia: the concept, structure, comparative and perspective assessment / / Center for Strategic Assessments and Forecasts - http://csef.ru/

normalized indicators of economic security in Russia, the United States, Japan, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Republic of Korea, and the People's Republic of China. The results obtained adequately reflect the phenomena and processes that take place in the economies of these countries and in the world economy as a whole.

From the table. 1 It can be seen that the Republic of Korea is among the countries with one of the highest levels of economic security in the world, and that during 2001-2006 the country successfully increased its level of economic security. The Russian economy, based on this method of assessing the level of economic security, is most exposed to external risks and threats. Such European countries as Germany, Great Britain, and Italy showed a slight increase in the change in this indicator in 2001-2006. The processes taking place in Asian countries are most interesting, as both Japan and China have shown rapid growth in the level ^of economic protection3.

The Asian crisis of 1997-1998, which led to a decline in basic economic indicators, did not undermine the foundations of economic security of the Republic of Korea, on the contrary - in subsequent years, the implementation of domestic potential allowed the country to become a leader in terms of economic security. One of the factors that ensured a steady increase in the level of economic security of the country is its NIS.

As we mentioned above, the development of the national innovation system in this country is based on borrowing foreign technologies and a competent patent policy. The transfer of foreign technologies to South Korean entrepreneurs took place in various forms: turnkey contracts, licensing, consulting, etc. An important role was played by large financial and industrial groups (chaebols), which for many years were the basis for the development of the national economy.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the innovation path was not a key area of government policy. During these years, in fact, only the basis of the country's industrial development was being created. In-

the question of creating an NIS was raised by the state leadership only in the 1970s.

At that stage of NIS development, South Korean companies were more interested in borrowing equipment and technologies from industrially developed countries than in conducting their own research and development (R & D). By borrowing foreign technologies, research institutes and enterprises sought to improve their own technological level. The main function of universities in those years was the formation of human capital for the development of foreign technologies. These technologies, rather than foreign direct investment (FDI), as in many other countries, played a key role in the development of the Republic of Korea's NIS in the 1970s.

THE FIRST WERE THE CHAEBOLS

Since the 1980s, the main role in innovation development has shifted from the state to private firms. Many companies have started opening their own R & D centers, and spending for these purposes has increased significantly. The share of private firms in total R & D expenditures reached 56% in 1981. Later, private sector spending on scientific and technological developments began to grow even faster, reaching 81% of total expenditures for this purpose in 1985. If in 1980 only 54 firms, most of which were owned by Chaebols, had their own R & D centers, then in 1995 their number reached 22264.

Thus, initially chaebols played an important role in the development of R & D centers of the non-state sector; only later did small and medium-sized enterprises begin to organize their own R & D centers. However, despite the innovative activity of the latter, large-scale technological projects were implemented mainly by large firms that were part of chaebol.

The innovation activity of most firms in the 1990s was mainly carried out in three directions. First, large chaebol companies formed alliances with international high-tech companies. Second, large firms set up R & D centers and laboratories in cooperation with foreign companies. Third, obtaining a license for advanced technologies was difficult, so large firms began to participate in mergers and acquisitions with high-tech companies in developed countries in order to have access to the latest technologies.

By the 1990s, more than 2/3 of the total number of R & D centers was created by small and medium-sized enterprises. The increased innovation activity of such enterprises can be called one of the factors of rapid recovery of the country's economy after the crisis that befell it at that time (caused mainly by external causes).

CLUSTER SYSTEM

In 1998, South Korea, like most other countries, suffered from another global financial and economic crisis. To overcome its consequences, in 1999 the Government developed a program to stabilize the economy.

In accordance with this program, the territory of the country was divided into economic clusters (see Figure), each of which was responsible for the development and production of certain types of goods and services. Thus, scientists and entrepreneurs in Daejeon were responsible for the progress in information technology, the development of biological production, the mass production of high-precision machine parts, and the design and manufacture of robots. The port city of Busan was supposed to become the center of logistics activities. Local universities were supposed to coordinate their activities in selected areas.

In 2004, a new industrial development strategy was formed. The Regional Innovation Council was established and included representatives of enterprises, universities, research institutes and non-governmental non - profit organizations-one from each province. The Council is responsible for developing regional innovation programs, as well as organizing so-called innovation fairs that promote the dissemination and exchange of knowledge and ideas. A special role is assigned to universities of technical and economic specialization, because such universities are the main source of the personnel base of industrial production. Cooperation between universities and enterprises is strongly encouraged in the country.

While developing innovation potential, the Government pays special attention to economically backward regions of the country. Support programs for such regions have been developed and are reviewed every few years. If necessary, a particular region receives additional financial support, tax and other benefits. Some residents of such regions "attach" to local universities and learn innovations that can be implemented in the villages and towns where they live. As a rule, the center's assistance is limited: each region should rely primarily on the resources available to it, taking into account local characteristics.

THERE WILL BE NO BACKWARD AREAS

The country's industrial development strategy is designed for up to

Fig. Specialization of innovative projects of universities of the Republic of Korea (in accordance with the specialization of the region).

Source: Sam Ock Park and Yangmi Koo. Innovation-driven cluster development strategies in Korea // European Review of Industrial Economics and Policy, N 5 - http://revel.unice.fr/eriep/index.html9id-3514

2020, but there are already positive results: the industrial appearance and standard of living in backward regions are gradually being pulled up to the level of advanced ones.⁵

Currently, the Republic of Korea ranks 12th in the world in terms of GDP and economic capitalization, and by 2025 it expects to reach the 7th place. This goal is set out in the document "Long-term forecast for the development of science and technology until 2025", adopted by the government in September 1999. This unique 25-year "plan for scientific and technological progress" is expected to be fully implemented in 3 stages.

THREE STEPS TO SUCCESS

The first stage was supposed to be completed by 2005 - by that time the country's scientific and technological level had to be brought up to the level of 12 leading countries in the world. Basically, this milestone has been reached. However, as planned, the Republic of Korea did not become the leading country in Asia by this time, losing to Japan ⁶.

At the second stage - by the end of 2015 - Kazakhstan should become a leader in research and development in the Asia-Pacific region and enter the top ten countries in the world in terms of technological development. We will get an answer to the question of whether this goal will be achieved very soon, literally in a few months.

At the third stage, by 2025, the South Korean economy should become competitive with the G7⁷.

Important steps towards achieving this goal have already been taken: in 2012, the country ranked 1st in terms of information and communication technologies (ICTs) development among 155 countries in the world. According to the American rating agency Bloomberg, Kazakhstan is on the 2nd place in the list of the most innovative countries in the world and among the leaders in IT technologies, nanotech-

Table 2

Innovation clusters of the Republic of Korea

Source: compiled by the author.

technologies, biotechnologies, works in the field of new types of energy and materials, as well as in the field of fundamental research in various fields of science ⁸.

All this has a beneficial effect on the level of economic security of the country. Compared to many other countries, the South Korean economy is less exposed to external risks and threats.

INNOVATION CLUSTERS

One of the main elements of the country's innovation policy aimed at improving its economic security is innovation clusters. Within such clusters, innovation processes are noticeably accelerated, and those who work in clusters are noticeably more susceptible to innovation, the desire to streamline business and increase labor productivity increases. In the table. 2 describes some of the country's innovation clusters.

An important task of economic development and economic security of the country is the development of innovative entrepreneurship in order to form high-tech competitive sectors of the economy. The core of innovative entrepreneurship is the commercialization of innovations developed at enterprises and institutions that have economic independence. Such entrepreneurship contributes to improving the competitiveness of products and developing new mechanisms for competitive R & D financing.

SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES "IN A SPECIAL POSITION"

From 2000 to 2010, the country implemented a program for the development of small and medium-sized businesses, thanks to which their share in the export of industrial products increased from 37% to 50%, and employment in this area of the economy reached almost 80% of the total population. Small and medium-sized businesses are granted the most financially favored-nation treatment, which, in particular, is reflected in low interest rates on bank loans.

The state policy on supporting small and medium-sized businesses is coordinated by a special committee under the Head of State. It is responsible for developing policies in this area and preparing the relevant legislative framework. The working body of the committee is the Administration of Small and Medium-sized Businesses, which has been operating since February 1996.

The state's concern for the development of small and medium-sized businesses is expressed, in particular, in the fact that start - up entrepreneurs are provided with soft loans for up to 8 years with an interest rate 2.5-3% lower than the average bank rate. A number of new promising technologies are being developed specifically for small businesses.

In order to support and develop the innovative potential of small and medium-sized enterprises, the Korean government has developed and approved a special program to support small and medium-sized companies, as well as"startups". Promising companies are offered such support measures as so-called technology insurance* and preferential tax treatment.

In addition, today in the Republic of Korea, many universities strive not only to fulfill their traditional functions, i.e. to provide knowledge, but also to intensively develop innovative businesses. This aspect of their activity attracts the attention of various companies and banks that are ready to join the R & D commercialization processes.

INSTITUTES, INCUBATORS, AND INVESTMENTS

In the process of establishing the South Korean innovation system, a significant role is played by research institutes, most of which appeared in the country relatively recently.

It is worth recalling that in the 1960s there were only two so-called public institutes in the country that were engaged in scientific research in the field of technology and the development of certain types of technologies. These are the National Military-Technical Research Institute (founded in 1953) and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (founded in 1959). There were less than 5 thousand scientists and engineers employed in the public and private sectors in the country. R & D expenditures were negligible, amounting to only $9.5 million.⁹

The laws on Science and Technology Support and education, adopted in 1967, became the foundation for the further development of science and technology. In 1970, the Korea Leading Research Institute (KAIS) Act was passed, which introduced elements of the American education system to the Republic of Korea. In 1977, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) was established.

In the 1970s, various state research institutes were established in the country. At first, they solved two main tasks: they supported industries in the transfer of new technologies and helped create national scientific and technological potential by repatriating many well-known scientists and engineers from abroad. Later, these institutes became centers of research in the field of innovation and innovation.

* Technological insurance - insurance of risks of technological breakage and subsequent losses, risks of destruction of technology due to the "human factor", natural disasters, technical failure or defect (approx. author's note).

we joined the development of the country's NIS.

Business incubators and technology incubators play an important role in the South Korean innovation market. They were created in 1991, using the experience of Israeli technology incubators. At first, such incubators were only public, and the first private incubator (Jungbu Industrial Consulting Inc.) was established in 1993. At the same time, the first so-called People's Incubator (Ansan Business Incubator) was opened. A little later, the Korean Association of Technology Parks appeared. At the same time, programs were developed to create infrastructure for start-up companies that use high technologies in their work, as well as special programs for laboratory start-up companies, programs for the development of entrepreneurship based on modern technologies, etc. ¹⁰

Much is being done in the country to ensure the innovative orientation of investments, primarily foreign ones. Work in this direction was carried out back in the 1970s and 1980s, when the government actively supported chaebols in their efforts to attract foreign capital and invest in strategically important industries. However, in the future, foreign capital began to play a less important role in the country's technological development, since, as the domestic economic potential increased, opportunities for investment based on domestic capital gradually appeared. The South Korean patent system is considered one of the most successful in the world. Korea Intellectual Property Office (KIPO) since 1997 it is focused on borrowing the principles of US patent activity. A sound and well-thought-out patent policy has played an important role in the development of small businesses and boosting the commercial activities of universities. Previously, professors and teachers were required to transfer the patents they received to the state, since inventions made in state institutions were considered the property of the country. These rules have now been revised in favor of individuals who are actual patent holders.¹¹

BASIC PLAN: LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

South Korea has developed and is working on a so-called Basic Action Plan aimed at modernizing the management system for scientific and technological development. It also provides for measures to manage investments in the research sector, raise public awareness of scientific achievements and new technologies, develop human capital, and commercialize work in the field of creating new technologies.

The basic action Plan, in turn , is a component of the "Long-term Forecast for the development of science and technology until 2025"mentioned above. It complements the 5-year plans for scientific, technological and innovative development. For the implementation of this plan, a "road map" has been developed, which describes the goals, ways and deadlines for achieving the planned milestones, as well as the expected results of implementing the achievements of scientific and technological progress. Relatively recently, this plan was revised to give a more important role to those scientific research and new technologies that most contribute to improving the country's competitiveness.

* * *

Thus, the innovation system of the Republic of Korea is a highly organized, open and flexible structure that fully meets the requirements of ensuring the country's economic security. It is constantly being improved from the standpoint of realizing national interests and strengthening the economic security of a successful and dynamically developing state.

¹ Integratsiya Rossii v mirovuyu ekonomiku [Integration of Russia into the world economy]. 2nd ed., reprint. Moscow, RUDN University, 2009. p. 419. (2009. Integratsiya Rossii v mirovuyu ekonomiku / ed. Gusakov N.P. M.) (in Russian)

² Cit. by: Andronova I. V. Vneshneekonomicheskaya bezopasnost Rossii: teoriya i praktika. M. Vneshneekonomicheskaya bezopasnost Rossii: teoriya i praktika. M. (in Russian)

³ For a detailed analysis of the Chinese phenomenon, see: Gordienko D. V., Luzyanin S. G. Globalizatsiya i obespechenie ekonomicheskoi bezopasnosti Kitay [Globalization and Ensuring China's Economic Security]. History and modernity. 2013, N 18.

^{Sam Ock Park, Yangmi Koo.} 4 Innovation-driven cluster development strategies in Korea // European Review of Industrial Economics and Policy, N 5 - http://revel.unice.fr/eriep/index.html?id=3514

^{Abdurasulova D.} 5 Industrial policy of South Korea // Economist, 2009, No. 1, pp. 57-65. (Abdurasulova D. 2009. Promyshlennaya politika Yuzhnoi Korei // Ekonomist. N 1) (in Russian)

⁶ The Global Technology Revolution 2020: In-Depth Analyses // RAND Corporation Report, 2006 - http://www.rand.org/content/dam/ rand/pubs/technicaLreports/2006/RAND_TR303.pdf

⁷ Science and Technology Policy for the 21st Century (Republic of Korea) // By Ministry of Science and Technology, Republic of Korea -http://www.edac.cl/iyd/noticias/pais/8/31518/Corea_doc_2.pdf

⁸ Experience of support and development of social entrepreneurship in South Korea / / Center for Advertising Research Grand Prix, September 2013 - http://media.rspp.ru/document/l/f/3/f3ec4871ec6a01 defec3483dd76fd416. pdf

^{Sungchul Chung.} 9 Innovation, Competitiveness, and Growth: Korean Experience // Annual World Bank Conference on Development Economics. 2010, p. 333 - 357.

^{Bosch Jin Cho.} 10 Dynamics of roles of IKED, government Agencies, supporting Institutes and incubation Centers in Korea -http://www.group-global.Org/ru/lecture/view/7186

¹¹ Bykovsky V. V., Mishchenko E. S., Bykovskaya E. V. Management of innovative projects and programs: a textbook. Tambov, TSTU Publishing House. 2011, p. 104.

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