The South Korean government said on Friday that it will spend 3 trillion won (US$2.05 billion) next year to create 18,000 new jobs in high-tech industries and energy-related sectors.

According to a plan by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, the government will spend 383.0 billion won (US$261.1 million) on cutting edge industries like bio-engineering, robotics, radio frequency identification tags-ubiquitous sensor networks (RFID-USN) and light emitting diodes (LED) that could contribute 5,800 fresh jobs.

Another 2.7 trillion won (US$1.85 billion) will be earmarked to increase infrastructure in electric power generation, gas and nuclear energy, the ministry said.

Funds will also be used in the development of sustainable energy resources, it added.

(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2008)