A government advisory team on Wednesday chose 10 core technologies related to rechargeable batteries in order to make South Korea the world's No. 1 provider of next-generation mobile devices by 2010.

The rechargeable battery industry is one of the 10 next-generation growth engines for the nation's economy selected by the government.

The Next-Generation Rechargeable Battery Advisory Team said that the government will work to increase exports of rechargeable batteries to US$6.9 billion in 2010 from the current $170 million and raise the nation's global market share to 40 percent.

The group said that to that end, the government will have to spend 170 billion won by 2008.

Among the 10 core technologies to be reportedly developed with state support are super-powered and super-mini lithium-ion batteries, super-capacity lithium-ion batteries for electric cars and high-safety rechargeable batteries.

South Korea is rapidly narrowing the gap with Japan in the global market share for rechargeable batteries.

According to an estimate by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy last month, South Korea's global market share in the sector is expected to reach 28.8 percent by 2005.