The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) announced that it held the International Workshop on Tropical Cyclone-Ocean Interaction in the Northwest Pacific (TCOI 2019) in collaboration with the National Typhoon Center, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Jeju National University, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and University of Rhode Island at Seogwipo KAL Hotel on Jeju Island, South Korea, from June 19 (Wed) to 21 (Fri).
Since the first workshop in 2009, the TCOI has been held jointly by domestic and foreign organizations at irregular intervals. It is an international academic conference where the results of various observations of and numerical modeling studies on tropical cyclone-ocean phenomena that affect the occurrence and development of tropical cyclones, depending on marine conditions, are shared and future research cooperation is discussed. In this year’s TCOI, researchers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration participated as well.
Kang Sok-Kuh (Principal Research Scientist at KIOST), Dr. Cha Eun-jung  (National Typhoon Center), Professor Moon Il-joo (Jeju National University), Dr. Kang Gi-ryong (National Institute of Meteorological Sciences), Dr. Robert Rogers and Joseph Cione (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Isaac Ginis (University of Rhode Island), and other experts from Korea and abroad presented the results of research in various fields, including the development of tropical cyclone forecasting techniques, long-term variability of tropical cyclones, and tropical cyclone-ocean interaction in an environment of rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones.
The conference, which presented the results of about 45 studies, was attended by about 100 experts from Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia, Sweden, and other countries. The program’s speakers and presentation topics are listed on the website (http://www.tcoi.co.kr/).
 Since 2017, KIOST has been researching tropical cyclone-ocean interaction in the Northwest Pacific and the rapid intensification of tropical cyclones using its research ship RV Isabu and with support from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Ultimately, it aims to identify the cause of this rapid intensification and the mechanism of the teleconnection between the oceans and the seas of Korea.
 President Kim Woong-seo said, “TCOI 2019 was a great opportunity to inform the world about the results of our research. We look forward to supporting domestic cyclone-ocean interaction research and helping improve forecasting techniques by strengthening mutual cooperation among expert groups.”
 In addition, KIOST and the National Institute of Meteorological Sciences signed an agreement for cooperation on Wednesday afternoon of June 19, which is same day on which the opening ceremony of TCOI 2019 was held.
The two institutes decided to enter into the agreement in order to contribute to national science and technology through the research and development of observation and forecasting technologies in the marine, meteorological, and climate fields and cooperate with each other for the joint use of infrastructure and equipment for future air and ocean observation, ocean and atmospheric research, and numerical model development.