First-Ever Integration of Three Major Science and Technology Events Across Daejeon City
Featuring 850 Programs and Diverse Attractions, Including Food and Entertainment Spaces
The 'Korea Science and Technology Festival,' the largest-ever science and technology festival integrating three events?the Korea Science Festival, Korea Science and Technology Expo, and Daejeon Science Festival?has grandly opened.
Hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and Daejeon Metropolitan City, and organized by the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity, National Research Foundation of Korea, Daejeon Tourism Organization, and the Private Council for Science Culture, the '29th Korea Science and Technology Festival 2025' will be held for five days from the 16th to the 20th across downtown Daejeon, including Expo Citizen’s Plaza, Expo Science Park, and Exhibition Halls 1 and 2 of the Daejeon Convention Center.
The festival, themed 'The Engine of Science and Technology, Awakening Curiosity,' offers approximately 850 programs designed to stimulate curiosity in science and technology for audiences ranging from youth to adults.
The festival is composed of the 'Curiosity Power Plant (Korea Science Festival),' where visitors can enjoy and communicate through science and technology culture; the 'Curiosity Laboratory (Korea Science and Technology Expo),' showcasing Korea’s science and technology research and development (R&D) achievements at a glance; the 'Curiosity Theme Park (Daejeon Science Festival),' filled with science and technology entertainment elements reflecting Daejeon’s characteristics; and the Curiosity Broadcasting Station, which connects all spaces and broadcasts live online nationwide in real time.
The Curiosity Power Plant (Expo Citizen’s Plaza) features science and technology culture programs including performances and hands-on experiences suitable for the whole family. The Curiosity Laboratory (Daejeon Convention Center Exhibition Hall 2) exhibits achievements in advanced technologies in key national strategic technology fields, products showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and R&D outcomes from government-funded research institutes and universities all in one place.
The Curiosity Theme Park (Expo Science Park and Daejeon Convention Center Exhibition Hall 1) includes the World Science Culture Forum with renowned domestic and international speakers, the Literary Garden with Science highlighting the creative imagination of SF literature and scientific inquiry, and unique experience programs such as hot air balloons and drones. It also features a food area with local delicacies and food trucks.
This year, the festival operates programs throughout the five days that communicate with visitors in real time online via the Curiosity Broadcasting Station, delivering the festival’s atmosphere vividly nationwide. On the first day, creator Heo Seong-beom interacted live online with the public.
Beyond the festival venues, various side programs linked to the event are held throughout the festival period across downtown Daejeon, including the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity?Daejeon Museum of Art academic seminar (on the 17th at Daejeon Museum of Art), Science Harmony Yard (on the 19th at Hanbat Arboretum), and e-sports career experience (from the 16th to 18th at Daejeon eSports Stadium), realizing an urban-style festival.
Minister Yoo Sang-im of the Ministry of Science and ICT delivered a welcoming address at the opening ceremony, saying, "I hope families, couples, and friends visit the venue to experience and enjoy their curiosity about science and technology."
Before the opening ceremony, Minister Yoo attended the 'Dialogue with Young Scientists and Engineers' to share policy directions for nurturing future science and technology talents in Korea and personally communicate with and encourage young scientists and engineers who have achieved outstanding results in advanced science and technology fields and technology commercialization.
The opening ceremony of the Science and Technology Festival was held at 7 p.m. on the same day at the main stage of Expo Citizen’s Plaza with many citizens in attendance. The event was hosted by science creator Heo Seong-beom and featured a keynote lecture by Professor Lee Sedol, Special Professor at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), and a congratulatory performance by singer-songwriter Kwon Jin-ah.
For detailed information about the Science and Technology Festival programs and events, please visit the festival’s official website.
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