The Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST, President Kim Woong-seo) published the first issue of Korea’s first earth science data journal, GEO Data, on December 30.

Five institutes？KIOST, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, National Institute of Ecology, Korea Aerospace Research Institute, and Korea Polar Research Institute (a KIOST-affiliated institute)？agreed that they needed a specialized journal to promote the joint utilization of research data and vitalization of related industries, leading them to sign a business agreement and publish the journal together.
GEO Data, with “GEO” being an acronym for geology, ecology, and oceanology, will be published on a quarterly basis and made accessible to the public through its website (http://geodata.kr).

The five research institutes announced that their publication of GEO Data is an effort to actively respond to the sharing and opening of big data, which is the core engine of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and promote the use of accumulated data by improving data accuracy and reliability.
They also expect that the journal’s publication will contribute to the development of national science and technology by promoting the active use of research data by industries, universities, and research institutes.

In the first issue of the journal, 32 domestic and foreign experts in the fields of oceanology, geology, ecology, aerospace science, and polar science participated as editorial committee members. After a rigorous submission and review process, they published eight research papers, including three papers each in the fields of oceanology and geology and one paper each in the fields of polar science and aerospace  science.

The head of the editorial committee of GEO Data in the field of oceanology, Director Ryu Joo-hyung of Department of Maritime Research and Infrastructure at KIOST said, “All participating organizations, including KIOST, will work continuously to improve the quality of the journal, starting with the first issue, and plan to develop it into a journal with global recognition.