Opening of Korea Institute of Materials Research "Frontline Base for So-Bu-Jang Response"

Jeong Byeong-seon, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, attended the Subcommittee on Science and Technology and Nuclear Energy Legislation of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee held at the National Assembly on the 24th, checking documents before the meeting started. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The Korea Institute of Materials Science, which will serve as the hub and leader of research and development (R&D) in the field of materials, parts, and equipment in South Korea, including responses to Japan's export regulations, officially opened on the 4th.

Jung Byung-seon, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, attended the opening ceremony of the Materials Institute and stated, "Despite many difficulties as an affiliated institution, the Korea Institute of Materials Science has played a cutting-edge role in responding to Japan's export regulations and has been at the forefront of government policies and corporate crisis responses related to materials, parts, and equipment."

He added, "We expect that it will continue to perform its role as the representative research institution for materials, parts, and equipment in our country and as a leader among materials research institutions to realize a materials powerhouse."

Following the passage of the partial amendment to the Act on the Establishment and Operation of Government-Funded Research Institutes in April, the Materials Institute was elevated from an affiliated institution of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials to an independent corporation. Going forward, the Materials Institute will consolidate national advanced source materials R&D capabilities and serve as a forward base for the nation's response to materials, parts, and equipment. Currently, the institute is preparing to build a 'Second Research Institute' on the site of the former Army University in the Yeojwa district of Jinhae, and has signed a business agreement with Changwon City to establish an 'Advanced Materials Demonstration Research Complex.'