The number of papers written by Korean scientists and published in the world’s top three science journals was found to have risen sharply in the past decade.

The Ministry of Science and Technology said Tuesday that the number of papers written by Korean scientists and published in Nature, Science and Cell rose to 18 last year, from just two in 1997.

Coinciding with the rise in the number of published papers in renowned science journals is the rise in South Korea’s competitiveness in science and technology.

According to the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development, South Korea ranked only 28th in terms of competitiveness in science and technology in 1998. However, the institute said last year that the nation’s rank in technological competitiveness jumped to sixth place in the world, while competitiveness in science rose to 12th place.

The science ministry said it plans to boost the nation’s technological competitiveness to fifth place in the world and competitiveness in science to tenth place in the world by 2010, through various support policies.

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