The Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) announced on the 7th that it has selected Choi Jeong-heon (pictured), head researcher of the Earth Environment Research Department, as the "KBSI Person of the Year." Head researcher Choi, who joined KBSI in 2002, has been recognized for his contributions to the development of domestic luminescence dating analysis techniques and the shared use of equipment in related fields.
Luminescence dating is a technique that measures the age of mineral particles based on the duration of their last exposure to sunlight or heat. Head researcher Choi confirmed the potential for dating beyond 100,000 years, which was previously impossible with existing dating methods, by utilizing signals emitted from quartz.
Since 2017, he has participated as the head of the dating field in the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's "Investigation and Evaluation Technology Development of the Korean Peninsula Fault Structure Line" project, among various national research and development projects. In 2023, he was also awarded a presidential citation for his contributions to advancements in the field of geology. Recently, he served as an officer at the 37th International Geological Congress held in Busan.
Head researcher Choi noted, "I am very happy to receive the KBSI Person of the Year award at the Research Institute where I have been for over 20 years," and he expressed his intention to continuously contribute to domestic and international crust stability assessments, climate change research, and geological and topographical changes through ongoing luminescence dating research.