etri

ETRI, short for Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, is a South Korean government-funded research organization focused on information and communications technology (ICT). Established in 1976, it conducts basic and applied research to strengthen national innovation capacity and support industrial competitiveness. The institute operates under the Ministry of Science and ICT and serves as a national hub for ICT R&D, standardization, and technology transfer to industry.

ETRI conducts research across a wide range of ICT fields, including wireless communications and networks, artificial intelligence, information security, semiconductor technology, software platforms, digital media and content technologies, and robotics. Its work spans foundational science, applied development, and the creation of technologies with practical impact on consumer electronics, telecommunications infrastructure, and digital services. The institute collaborates with universities, industry partners, and international researchers to advance science, publish findings, and contribute to global standards.

Notable areas of impact attributed to ETRI include developments in digital broadcasting and mobile wireless technologies, such as contributions to digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) and early research related to mobile broadband technologies. ETRI has also been active in advancing 5G research and participates in standardization efforts and cooperative projects that connect academic discovery with industry deployment.

Organization and governance are built around multiple research laboratories and centers focusing on core ICT domains. The institute places emphasis on collaboration, technology transfer, and talent development, maintaining partnerships with domestic and international organizations to sustain Korea’s leadership in information and communications technology.