Contributing to the Advancement of Korea’s Marine Science and Technology
Through Global Ocean Exploration
The research vessel has been awarded the Leadership in Research Award.
The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (President Lee Heeseung, KIOST) announced that the research vessel Onnuriho received the Prime Minister’s Award at the 19th Jangbogo Award.
The award ceremony was held on December 17, 2025, at the HIT Conference Room of Hanyang University in Seongdong-gu, Seoul.
The Jangbogo Award, hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (Acting Minister Kim Seongbeom) and co-organized by the Korea Maritime Foundation (Chairman Moon Haenam) and Naeil Newspaper (Co-CEOs Jang Myungkok and Moon Jinheon), has been held since 2007 to honor and advance the pioneering maritime spirit of King Jangbogo. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that have contributed to the development of Korea's marine and fisheries sectors.
Launched in 1992, Onnuriho is Korea’s first comprehensive ocean research vessel. For the past 34 years, it has been active in domestic and international waters, including Antarctic expeditions and trans-Pacific voyages.
It has been highly recognized for significantly advancing Korea’s marine science and technology through activities such as deep-sea mineral resource development in the Pacific Ocean, securing marine biological resources in international waters, and participating in international joint marine research programs. These efforts have led to research achievements at a global level.
In particular, Onnuriho contributed to securing approximately 115,000 square kilometers of maritime territory through the exploration of marine mineral resources such as manganese nodules, hydrothermal deposits, and manganese crusts, and played a key role in research on marine biodiversity in international waters. Additionally, a new species of hyperthermophilic archaeon was discovered at a deep-sea hydrothermal vent in the South Pacific and named “Thermococcus onnurineus NA1” after the vessel. This strain is now being used in research on biohydrogen production.
The vessel’s academic achievements are also outstanding. From 2013 to the end of December 2024, a total of 430 SCIE papers were published using Onnuriho, among which 277 papers (about 65%) were classified as excellent with an mrnIF of 80 or higher, and 98 papers (about 23%) ranked in the top 10% by mrnIF.
The Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) is a database of research papers and academic research.
The Modified Rank Normalized Impact Factor (mrnIF) is a standardized, rank-adjusted impact index designed to assess the influence of research within specific subject areas, addressing the limitations of IF, which does not account for differences between fields. Under the national R&D standard performance indicators, the top 80% of papers by mrnIF are considered excellent.
On August 22, 2025, the “Project for Replacement Construction of the Ocean Research Vessel (Onnuriho)” was selected as an exempt project from the preliminary feasibility study by the 6th National R&D Project Evaluation General Committee. As a result, a follow-up research vessel with greatly enhanced operational and research capabilities will be constructed in earnest.
Lee Heeseung, President of KIOST, stated, “The launch of Onnuriho marked Korea’s official entry into global ocean exploration. We will continue to honor the spirit of King Jangbogo embodied in this award and do our utmost to lead Korea as a maritime powerhouse.”
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