Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn has pledged full government support for research to develop new technologies in artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things(IoT) and smart vehicles.

Hwang said no efforts will be spared to support the sectors during his visit on Wednesday to the state-funded Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute in Daejeon.

He also urged for government-funded research institutes to do their best to develop core technologies to help boost the economy.

The acting president called on the institutes to increase technological assistance to small and medium-sized firms and play an active role to promote start-ups.

Ahead of his visit, Hwang held a luncheon with heads of 25 state-funded research institutes.

During the meeting, he explained the government is encouraging colleges to focus on basic research, state-funded research institutes to concentrate on core technology research and businesses to work on commercialization.