KIST, Now 60, Aims to be ‘World-Class Mission-Oriented Research Institute’

President Oh Sang-Rok of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).

Rhee Hyun-Ku, former Special Adviser to President for Science and Technology and former-President of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology.

Rhee, Hyun-Ku, former Special Adviser to President for Science and Technology, had a conversation with President Oh Sang-Rok of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of its founding at KIST’s headquarters in Hongneung, Seoul, on April 10.

Won Yoo-Hyung, director of the Technology Policy Research Institute at KIST and NewsWorld President Elizabeth Oh were also present. -Ed.

Sixty years have passed since KIST was established in 1966.

It’s no wonder that KIST, the nation’s first government-funded research institute established by then President Park Chung-hee with the help of the United States, has played a pivotal role in advancing the Korean science and technology sector and industrialization to drive Korea’s rapid growth into a world-class powerhouse.

KIST is not resting on its laurels, but is devoting itself to writing a “new epic of hope” in the next 60 years.

KIST President Oh said, “KIST aims to become a globally respected, world-class research institute by producing far-reaching outcomes that have an impact on the daily lives of the general public, beyond theses and patents.”

In his commemorative speech at KIST’s 60th anniversary event in February, President Oh stressed the fact that “the past 60 years were a period of accumulating strength to lead Korea’s science and technology development, whereas the next 60 years should be a period of returning research outcomes back to society.” What follows are excerpts of the conversation.

Choi Hyung-Sup, the late first president of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), addresses a speech in a video reenacted via AI at a ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its founding.

KIST President Oh Sang-Rok delivers a commemorative speech at the 60th anniversary event at KIST’s Headquarters on Feb. 10.

Question (Rhee Hyun-Ku, former Special Adviser to President for Science and Technology) : KIST wrapped up a ceremony to celebrate its 60th anniversary in a seamless fashion in February.

Your commemorative speech was particularly superb, and KIST’s new slogan, “KIST 60 RE:Turn to You” was especially noteworthy.

First, let’s talk about KIST’s establishment and the urgent need for Korea’s technology self-reliance.

As I remember, then U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson was surprised about Korean President Park Chung-hee’s proposal to establish a research institute in return for Korea sending troops to the United States’ war in Vietnam in 1960.

To President Johnson, President Park’s proposal was unexpected since Korea was a very poor country, where the people found it difficult to make a living.

President Johnson accepted the proposal gladly and offered his full support. It was President Park’s great idea.

Answer: At that time, Korea’s per capita income stood at about $110. I heard that the U.S. side wanted to build one more bridge over the Han River, as many people have said.

The Han River had only two bridges, so many people suffered difficulties.

President Park answered no. He chose to establish a research institute instead.

Q: At the time of its establishment, 18 scientists invited from abroad by President Park joined forces at KIST and implemented their ideas energetically.

For example, there was a very successful technology transfer related to polyester film that was carried out.

Would you tell us about some of KIST’s milestones related to technology and industrial development?

A: KIST is the nation’s first government-funded multidisciplinary research institute established under the direction of then-President Park with U.S. support.

KIST contributed to building the national industrial infrastructure by establishing a masterplan for heavy industry, which served as the cornerstone for the construction of Pohang Steelworks, now POSCO.

Since then, KIST has been a key player in developing the national economy and supplying science and technology, responsible for achievements such as developing the nation’s first computer and a color TV set in the 1970s.

In October 2015, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Korea’s top 70 outstanding science and technology sector achievements were selected.

Among them were seven achievements by KIST - Sejong No. 1 Computer, the nation’s first mini-computer; aramid fiber, a high-strength, heat-resistant synthetic fiber; a fluoride compound manufacturing process; synthetic diamonds for industrial use; optical fibers for optical communication; polyester film; and antidoping analysis technologies.

Dignitaries from science & technology and other circles pose at a ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary.

Q: I’ve heard that KIST has been engaging in research activities focusing on the environmental sector.

Please tell us about KIST’s research in the environmental, climate change and hydrogen sectors, particularly on projects related to hydrogen.

A: KIST is now a mission-oriented research institute with the aim of developing solutions to pressing national and social issues and problems.

The Climate and Environmental Research Institute is responsible for building a sustainable carbon cycle environment.

It is charged with leading carbon-negative innovation and mitigating climate-related disasters through the development of carbon cycle recovery technologies for the ecosystem.

The Clean Hydrogen Institute is charged with realizing a “sustainable hydrogen economy.”

It aims to establish a practical and safe hydrogen economy based on green hydrogen nuclear fusion technologies.

Notables and participants attend a ceremony to unveil the sculpture designed to commemorate KIST’s 60th anniversary following the 60th anniversary event.

Q: Do you consider hydrogen to be a crucial future energy to cope with climate change?

A: The Clean Hydrogen Institute was formed to be a research body specializing only in hydrogen, after its the hydrogen and secondary and solar batteries research its predecessor conducted was split up.

The Clean Hydrogen Institute’s research covers the entire hydrogen supply chain, including production, storage and utilization.

As you know, hydrogen currently faces an issue of economic value. If and when hydrogen technologies are developed, their economic value could be assessed comparatively.

Now, hydrogen costs are expensive, but if the costs for handling climate change rise, hydrogen’s economic value could increase.

Q: I’ve learned that KIST has prioritized the bio sector and has made achievements there, such as developing a new drug worth 500 billion won.

Prof. Oh Uh-taek was hired to establish the Brain Science Institute. Please elaborate on the outcomes of the bio and brain science sectors.

A: “Cureverse,” a startup developed through the KIST Bio-Star Program, recently struck a 540 billion won deal with Angelina Pharma, an Italian global pharmaceutical company, to transfer a new drug for dementia, known as KDS4043.

It is the best-ever technology transfer among government-funded research institutes.

KIST also developed the world’s first eye drop drug for treating macular degeneration derived from natural products, and completed submission of a pre-Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration.

We are working on strategic research missions designed to cope with serious problems in a super-aging society, like diagnostic sensors related to brain diseases and electroceuticals.

A whole view of KIST, which got under construction in September 1968.

A whole view of KIST’s headquarters in Hongneung, Seoul.

Q: KIST is the nation’s first government-funded research institute to lead research in various sectors.

Currently, there are 23 research institutes under the umbrella of the National Council of Science and Technology (NST).

Could you comment on KIST’s networking and cooperative relations with these research institutes?

A: We’ve been presenting mission-oriented R&D models that focus on going beyond the simple production of research outcomes which government-funded research institutes can adopt.

KIST was ranked first among government-funded research institutes for landing nine strategic research projects worth a combined 41.7 billion won, spearheading the shift away from the Project-Based System (PBS).

KIST functions as a hub for integrating the capabilities of government-funded research institutes in large, long-term research and cooperation with other multiple institutions.

Ha Jeong-woo, senior presidential secretary for AI and future planning, looks into the demonstration of the next-generation humanoid “KAPEX” robot at a ceremony to celebrate KIST’s 60th anniversary.

Q: What would you say about KIST’s research into AI and physical AI?

A: KIST has implemented a project which involves searching for elderly persons with dementia wandering the streets via AI in cooperation with Anyang City.

We plan to expand the project with the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

KIST also jointly developed the next-generation humanoid “KAPEX” robot through high-level cooperation with LG Electronics.

We are striving to commercialize KAPEX following an 8 billion won transfer of its related technology, which would make us the first government-funded research institute to spin off a technology to a major company.

A video demonstrating KAPEX was shown during our 60th anniversary event.

We are optimistic about the development of this humanoid robot, and believe that a more refined and full-fledged version will come out later this year, and by 2066, KAPEX would be relocated to Mars as shown on KIST’s Youtube video.

Furthermore, a research group specializing in physical AI has been formed and Prof. Kweon In-So, a world-class AI authority, was hired to head the group.

Through these efforts, KIST is seeking to develop an architecture capable of understanding generative AI-based work context and automatically maneuvering.

We are also developing a modular humanoid capable of hardware reconfiguration in a Lego-like block format.

KIST is expected to conduct an immersive education program in the near future designed to make all of our staff AI-native.

Q: So far, KIST has produced as many as 4,550 masters- and doctorate-degree researchers.

Could you elaborate on KIST’s programs to nurture gifted talents?

A: We’ve been operating mission-linked specialized KIST academic programs to nurture talents in cooperation with 10 universities, including one on AI with KAIST, one on robot, hydrogen and secondary battery technologies with POSTECH, one on hydrogen with Chung-Ang University, and one in quantum and climate with Ewha Womans University.

KIST also runs a “KIST Young Fellow” program to nurture research group leaders and future project management leadership programs to nurture strategic leaders capable of leading large state projects by accumulating leadership across the entire research cycle.

Q: KIST set up KIST Europe in Germany to promote international cooperation with European countries. Could you tell us more about your leadership in global cooperation and plans?

A: KIST Europe celebrates the 30th anniversary of its establishment this year, and has become a hub specializing in Horizon Europe cooperation activities.

Korea’s participation as an associate member country of Horizon EU through KIST Europe produces tangible outcomes as we secure projects each year.

KIST will also soon establish the K-BB Center in Boston, United States, with K-BB being designated as a Global Korea Innovation Center by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

And lastly, KIST is also implementing the second phase of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology establishment project.

Q: Could you comment on KIST’s plans to expand regional innovation ecosystems?

A: KIST established the “Gangneung Natural Product Drug Development Division” in September 2024 and “Jeonbuk Space Composite Materials Research Institute” in January 2026 as mission-oriented research institutes.

We anticipate that the Gangneung Division will be made into the core center for a national industry cluster for the region, possibly as early as 2027.

Q: Please tell us about the establishment of the KIST Future Foundation.

A: The KIST Future Foundation is a virtuous cycle platform designed to return science and technology research outcomes to society with the goal of attracting gifted Korean and international talents, and offers future generations scholarships and support for prominent research.

Last November, KIST, the KIST Future Foundation, and Seoul National University Hospital jointly held the “Autism Eeum Festival.”

The Foundation is expanding its activities related to spreading science culture, targeting local communities and socially marginalized groups.

KIST’s current 31 researchers, including KIST President Oh Sang-Rok, pose for a group photo last Dec. 15, in celebration of KIST’s 60th anniversary against a background group photo [seen above], showing 31 researchers who worked at an initial stage of establishing KIST, including 18 researchers invited from abroad by then President Park Chung-hee. This group photo was taken on Jan. 7, 1970. (Photos: KIST)

Q: In your commemorative speech for KIST’s 60th anniversary, you stressed that the past 60 years were a period for accumulating strength and leading Korea’s science and technology development, and the next 60 years should be a period for returning outcomes to society.

You also commented that “KIST will write a new epic of hope to solve the nation’s and society’s challenges.” Could you provide more details about your plans for this?

A: Under the seven institutes that make up our mission-oriented R&D model, we plan to move beyond simple R&D output and concentrate our research capabilities into producing practical solutions for overcoming national and social challenges.

KIST also plans to offer full support to deep-tech startups across their full lifecycle by combining public sector technologies and private sector investments for KIST Innovation.

Ultimately, we aim to become a globally respected, world-class research institute by producing far-reaching outcomes that have an impact on the daily lives of the general public, beyond theses and patents.