The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST, President Kang Do-hyung) announced that Dr. Chang Yeon S. of the Maritime ICT & Mobility Research Department was elected as vice-chair of the 46th meeting of the Scientific Group under the London Convention and 17th meeting of the Scientific Group under the London Protocol^* (hereinafter, “Scientific Group meetings”^**) held in Casablanca, Morocco, from March 13 to 17, 2023.

* An international convention prohibiting the dumping of wastes into the ocean (Korea joined the London Convention in 1993 and the London Protocol in 2009)

** Held annually for the purpose of reviewing technical and scientific issues requested by the Contracting Parties to the London Convention and London Protocol.

Dr. Chang has been playing a pivotal role in the preservation of the international marine environment, including serving as Korea’s expert on the London Convention and London Protocol since 2017 and operating the London Protocol Engineering Master of Project Administration at the KIOST School of the University of Science and Technology (UST) since 2018, training public officials from developing countries to become marine environment experts.

In recognition of his contribution, he was unanimously elected as vice-chair by fellow scientists at the Scientific Group meetings on March 17. Dr. Chang is the second vice-chair^* of the Scientific Group meetings from an Asian country and will serve a one-year term, subject to reappointment for up to four consecutive terms.

* Dr. Hong Gi-hoon, former president of KIOST, was the first vice-chair of the Scientific Group meetings in 2011 from an Asian country and was later elected chair of the Meeting of Contracting Parties in 2016.

At a time when international issues related to the prevention of marine pollution, such as the offshore storage of carbon dioxide to combat climate change, are high on the agenda, Dr. Chang's election as vice-chair of the Scientific Group meetings is expected to help lead the agenda within the framework of the London Convention and London Protocol through solidarity with the international community.