On its 40th anniversary, KIOST announces its plan to contribute 
to the ‘creative economy’

KIOST declares its plan to create a new market worth eight trillion won and to secure new technology that could generate 20,000 new jobs in the next five years. It also unveils an aerial view of its 5,000 ton oceanographic survey vessel for the first time.

□ On its 40th anniversary, the Republic of Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST), with Jung Keuk Kang as president, announced its implementation plan to contribute to the ‘creative economy’ along with its vision for the future. The institute was established on October 30, 1973.

○ Since its establishment in 1973, the institute has studied the oceans for 40 years and is the only general maritime research institute in Republic of Korea. Before the institute was founded, practically no marine science research had been done in Republic of Korea. The institute has played a pivotal role in securing world class maritime competitiveness in Republic of Korea.

○ On July 1, 2012, the institute, previously known as KORDI, was re-launched as KIOST to enhance national marine science technology in a more organized and focused manner.

○ The 40th anniversary event is to be held at the KIOST headquarters in Ansan, Gyeonggi-do at 3pm on October 8 (Tuesday).

□ President Jung Keuk Kangof KIOST said at the press conference, held on October 7 (Monday), that KIOST plans to create a new market worth eight trillion won and to secure new technology that could generate 20,000 jobs. It plans to achieve this by conducting mid and large scale R&D projects in the marine science technology sector based on the Korean government’s oceans and fisheries initiative and the action plan of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

○ President Kang also presented KIOST’s major research achievements over the past 40 years, such as its contribution to creating a new maritime industry and its development of new renewable marine energies such as bio-hydrogen and tidal power.

○ KIOST announced its plan to develop new, world class technology in marine science and become a ‘global leader in marine science technology’ and further, to actively pursue the industrialization of research accomplishments, thus actively contributing to the materialization of the ‘creative economy.’

□ For the first time, KIOST has unveiled an aerial view of its 5,000 ton oceanographic survey vessel currently being built and expected to be launched in 2016.

○ The large-scale oceanographic survey vessel, tentatively called KNRV 5000 (name to be selected via public contest), has been under construction since December last year under the auspices of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. KIOST is implementing the shipbuilding project, and STX Offshore and Shipbuilding is the shipbuilder.

○ The survey vessel is to be completed and delivered in late 2015, after which it will perform sea trials for six months, and then be officially launched in June, 2016. The vessel is expected to not only enhance Republic of Korea’s maritime competitiveness but also greatly improve the nation’s marine science technology through ocean research and surveys.

○ Once the ship is completed, it will be used for a wide range of purposes. It will lead the exploration and development of maritime mineral resources in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, secure useful overseas maritime biological resources which are difficult to obtain in Republic of Korea, and travel the oceans throughout the year investigating and predicting climate changes that could affect the Korean peninsula.