Korea's Leading Science City, Meeting Demand for Science Culture Experiences and Popularization
Geo (Earth, Geology, Ocean) Science Theme Aiming for Completion in 28 Years
Mayor Lee Gang-deok, "Providing Unique and Differentiated Science Cul
Pohang City is accelerating the establishment of the "National Pohang Specialized Science Museum" project, which it has been dedicating great effort to, after it successfully passed the feasibility study conducted by the Ministry of Science and ICT in November last year.
On the 18th, the city will conduct a preliminary review of the projects planned for this year through a meeting with the Ministry of Science and ICT, Gyeongbuk Province, and related organizations. The city aims to complete the science museum by 2028 by proceeding with preliminary procedures such as reflecting the design budget in the Ministry of Science and ICT’s budget in May and the local finance investment review in August.
The National Pohang Specialized Science Museum was recognized as necessary to establish based on the comprehensive evaluation results of the feasibility study, including cost-benefit analysis (B/C), policy analysis, and regional balanced development analysis, with high marks in economic feasibility.
Accordingly, the city plans to build a Geo Science specialized science museum covering districts, geology, and marine sciences with a total floor area of 6,000㎡ and a total project cost of 49.5 billion KRW in the Nam-gu area of Pohang by 2028. The museum aims to meet the local demand for scientific and cultural experiences and popularize science culture.
Pohang City was selected as Korea’s first science culture city in 2004 and hosts excellent scientific infrastructure, including the world’s third 4th generation synchrotron light source accelerator after the United States and Japan, the Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics, and the Max Planck Korea-Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) Center.
However, Pohang, recognizing a lack of sufficient space to share and spread science culture despite its excellent scientific infrastructure, established the basic plan for the specialized science museum in April 2022. In December of the same year, the National Assembly increased the project budget to allocate 200 million KRW for the basic survey and design of the national specialized science museum.
Additionally, through expert meetings and consultations with the Office of Education and related institutions, Pohang decided to build a "Geo Science" national specialized science museum in Pohang, which has suffered damage from induced earthquakes and typhoons amid increasing natural disasters such as earthquakes and climate change. The museum will help understand the principles of geology and marine science and propose directions for humanity to progress alongside the Earth through scientific and technological development.
The exhibition hall of the National Pohang Specialized Science Museum will consist of the Geo Heritage Zone, AI Geo Zone, Deep Sea Zone, and Kid Geo Zone. Based on an in-depth scientific understanding of the Earth, geology, and marine sciences, it will offer immersive digital experience content and exhibits using actual wood fossils, gastropods, and more to provide engaging experiences and attractions.
To ensure the highest level of scientific exhibitions in Korea, Pohang City operates an expert committee that plans scientific exhibitions and experience programs in collaboration with local research institutions such as POSTECH, the Max Planck Korea-POSTECH Center, the Asia Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics, as well as the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office of Education Science Institute and the Pohang Education Support Office. The city is also consulting with the Cultural Heritage Administration to exhibit paleontological fossil specimens discovered locally, such as leaf fossils.
Mayor Lee Kang-deok stated, “The National Pohang Specialized Science Museum, encompassing the Earth, geology, and marine sciences, will be a unique and representative science museum in Korea. We will do our best to actively utilize our strengths as the nation’s top science city to provide original and differentiated world-class science culture services.”
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