KAIST: Professor Emeritus Sunggak Kim Donates Shares Worth 1.2 Billion KRW

KAIST announced on April 22 that Professor Emeritus Sunggak Kim from the Department of Chemistry has donated 120,000 shares of Hankem Co., Ltd., valued at approximately 1.2 billion KRW.

Professor Kim's donation serves as a symbol of the close industry-academia collaboration between the KAIST Department of Chemistry and Hankem that has continued for the past 25 years. It holds special significance as the culmination of the journey shared by the university and the company. This is because the research achievements have contributed to the company's growth, and the company has, in turn, given back to the university through this donation, creating a virtuous cycle and setting a model case.

Professor Emeritus Sunggak Kim from the Department of Chemistry (right) is taking a commemorative photo with President Kwanghyung Lee (left) after a donation ceremony held at the KAIST main campus on the 22nd. Photo by KAIST

Professor Kim began his collaboration with Hankem in 1999 when he brought the Center for Molecular Design and Synthesis (CMDS), an SRC (Superior Research Center) in the field of organic synthesis, to KAIST.

Since then, Hankem has grown based on KAIST technology and has now established itself as a leading domestic company specializing in clinical research organization (CRO) and contract manufacturing organization (CMO) services based on top-tier organic synthesis technology.

From its founding in 1999 until 2002, the company was housed at KAIST as an incubated company, and it has used ongoing technical exchanges with the KAIST Department of Chemistry as a driving force for its growth.

The KAIST Department of Chemistry plans to use the donated funds to strengthen its research infrastructure and to pursue the development of next-generation core technologies and the discovery of new business opportunities in the field of chemistry.

KAIST President Kwanghyung Lee stated, "The industry-academia cooperation between Hankem and the KAIST Department of Chemistry is a model case of successfully integrating basic science with industry. The fact that the longstanding collaboration has resulted in this donation is deeply meaningful," adding, "I expect that Professor Kim's dedication and Hankem's support will further enhance KAIST's research capabilities and contribute to brightening the future of Korea's chemical industry."