The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) has decided to invest a total of 38.2 won (approx. $38 mil.) for the science & technology culture projects this year, an increase of 2.3 billion won from last year. As part of its efforts to build foundations on science and culture, the government will establish and operate life science classes in 430 regions across the country. It will also operate the "science leaders program" to actively foster professional manpower in the science and culture sectors, while pushing for the nationwide "science book start" campaign, which calls for supplying more books on science to students at primary schools in underdeveloped regions across the country. On the occasion of the Public Communication of Science Technology (PCST) meeting to be held here in May, the ministry plans to expand cooperation for international exchange with foreign countries. At the same time, it plans to offer a variety of supports for activation of science communication and science & culture-related events this year.