culture

In the DPRK the February 16 Science and Technology Prize, the top prize in the sci-tech field of the country, is awarded to those who made distinguished contributions to the development of the economy, the improvement of the people’s livelihood and the development of science and technology of the country.

Well over a thousand scientists and technicians have received this prize over the past two decades since it was awarded for the first time in 2004.

The recently instituted Natural Science Prize is awarded to those who have provided the scientific and theoretical basis of great significance in economic construction by making outstanding contributions to the development of new scientific theories and methodologies in the natural science field including the basic science and cross-disciplinary science sectors.

The Technical Innovation Prize was instituted to encourage scientists and technicians to conduct research and introduction more energetically and it is awarded to those who produced and introduced valuable sci-tech findings, thus making huge contributions to economic development and the improvement of the people’s living standards, having the findings registered as state sci-tech achievements and achieving the relevant economic effectiveness.

When the winners of natural science and technical innovation prizes have improved their findings up to the standard for selecting top sci-tech prize, they are awarded the February 16 Science and Technology Prize.

The top scientists and technicians have been selected from among the winners of the February 16 Science and Technology Prize every year since 2016, and over 40 persons have so far been selected as top scientists and technicians of the country.

Some years ago, the Top Inventor Prize was enacted as part of the efforts to fire the masses with an enthusiasm for invention and produce more world inventions. The prize is awarded to everyone who has developed cutting-edge technology exceeding the world’s advanced level and come up with a distinguished invention making a big contribution to economic development and the improvement of the people’s standards of living.

This prize has so far been awarded to 14 persons.

The winners of the Top Inventor Prize as well as top scientists and technicians of the country are treated preferentially and given wide publicity to, enormously boosting the enthusiasm for attaching importance to science and technology throughout the country.