KIOSTcelebrates opening for Republic of Korea’s marine science development

The Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs(Minister: Gwon Do-youp) announced its celebration for the opening of the Republic of KoreaInstitute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) at 10:00 AM on 4 July inAnsan, Gyeonggido. As Republic of Korea’s only government-run research institute in theocean science field, KIOST is designed to promote R&D in marine sciencetechnology and talent development.

○     The opening ceremony was attended by many related figures,including the Minister of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Gwon Do-youp,lawmakers including Jeon Hae-cheol (Sangrok, Ansan) and Lee Gae-gyun (Yeongdo,Busan), Chairman of the Republic of Korea Research Council of Fundamental Science ofTechnology (KRCF) Kim Geon, and President of Republic of Korea Maritime University ParkHan-il.  

□     KIOST was launched after 6 months f preparation based onthe “KIOST Act” enacted on Dec. 31, 2011.

○     As the successor to KORDI, which was founded in 1973,KIOST will open a new chapter in Republic of Korea’s history of marine science andtechnology. 

○     An official with the Ministry of Land, Transport andMaritime Affairs expects that the foundation of KIOST will spur the developmentof marine resources, act as a source for future resources, and spur thevitalization of the marine industry, including Arctic and Antarctic researchand marine plant industries. 

□     With becoming “the global leader in marine science andtechnology” as its vision, KIOST will seek to heighten its globalcompetitiveness in marine science and technology, develop outstanding researchcenters, and lead large-scale R&D programs related to the oceans and polarregions.  

○     To that end, KIOST will do its best to create anenvironment in which outstanding researchers can focus on R&D by increasingits workforce to 1,100 with a budget of KRW 700 billion by 2020, expandinggovernment-assisted funds to ensure autonomy in research, and providing variousincentives such as tenure extension.

○     In addition, KIOST will present a new model ofacademic-industrial cooperation by allowing concurrent appointments at theKIOST and national universities for research staff. 

□     According to a government official, the Korean governmentwill aim to develop Republic of Korea’s traditional marine cities Busan and Incheon intohubs of ocean and polar research and industry, as KIOST is slated to move toBusan at the end of  2015 and theaffiliated Republic of Korea Polar Research Institute is currently located in Incheon.