Kim Byung-yong, Head of Research at Chongkundang Health, Receives Industrial Medal at the 'Agriculture, Forestry, Livestock and Food Science and Technology Awards'

Kim Byung-yong, head of the research institute at Chong Kun Dang Health, awarded the Industrial Medal.
[Photo by Chong Kun Dang Health]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Chong Kun Dang Health announced on the 29th that Research Director Kim Byung-yong received the highest honor, the Industrial Medal, at the '25th Agricultural, Forestry and Livestock Food Science and Technology Awards Ceremony.'

Director Kim was recognized for his contributions to the development of the domestic health functional food industry through research and development of human microbiome genetic information and probiotics while leading the Chong Kun Dang Health Research Institute.

He developed a silk fibroin coating technology that enhances the bile tolerance (surviving bile acids), acid resistance (surviving stomach acid), and intestinal adhesion (long-lasting attachment in the intestines) of probiotics by utilizing silk fibroin, a new material extracted from silkworms, in collaboration with Chong Kun Dang Bio.

Additionally, he developed genome-based probiotic classification and identification technology using next-generation sequencing (NGS), establishing a system that innovatively improves the quality control of probiotic products. By linking NGS analysis with microbiome technology, he also significantly contributed to the development of the new product 'Lactofit Solution,' which combines probiotics tailored to individual gut microbiota.

Director Kim said, "This award is not an individual achievement but thanks to the efforts of Chong Kun Dang Health researchers to produce high-quality health functional foods," adding, "We will continue to devote ourselves to developing new technologies to contribute to public health improvement with differentiated health functional foods."