Appointment of Korea Research Foundation Chairman Before Yoon's Martial Law Announcement

Appointment Delays Expected One After Another for Heads of Science and Technology Institutions

The National Research Foundation of Korea announced on the 9th that Professor Hong Won-hwa of the Department of Architecture at Kyungpook National University has been inaugurated as the 8th Chairman. Following President Yoon Seok-yeol's step back to the second line amid the emergency martial law situation, it is expected to be difficult to appoint heads of science-related institutions under the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Space Agency for the time being after Chairman Hong.

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New Chairman Hong Won-hwa has served as the President of Kyungpook National University, Chairman of the Korean Council for University Education, and Dean of Engineering at the National Research Foundation of Korea. He has also worked as an expert in education, academic, and research policies at the National Education Commission and the National Balanced Development Commission.

In his inaugural speech, Chairman Hong expressed his determination to achieve R&D innovation, advancement of the academic and research ecosystem, nurturing of future core talents, and national balanced development through regional innovation as the head of Korea’s leading research management institution.

Chairman Hong’s term is three years, from December 9, 2024, to December 8, 2027. The National Research Foundation of Korea explained that Chairman Hong was appointed on the 2nd, before President Yoon Seok-yeol declared the emergency martial law.

It is the perception in the science and technology field that appointing heads of institutions is difficult without personnel verification and consent from the Presidential Office. Accordingly, the appointments of heads at institutions such as the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Korea Aerospace Research Institute, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Korea Railroad Research Institute, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, World Kimchi Research Institute, University of Science and Technology, National Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Korea Nano Technology Institute, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP), Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, and Korea Brain Research Institute, which are currently being invited or scheduled, are expected to be delayed one after another.