Jeong Jin-ho launches Nobel Prize project to enhance South Korea's scientific reputation

Jeong Jin-ho, the new president of The Korean Academy of Science and Technology, noted that he would launch a 'Nobel Prize project.' He mentioned that he would address the poor internal control issues that were problematic during the previous president's tenure by opening the board of directors to the public and fostering a more open culture.

On the 18th, Jeong held a press briefing at a restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, where he introduced the operational direction of The Korean Academy of Science and Technology. A leading authority in toxicology, Jeong served as a professor at Seoul National University's College of Pharmacy for 34 years. He was elected president through the academy's member election last year.

Jeong presented the 'Nobel Prize project' as the most important task he would pursue during his term. He said, "The Nobel Prize in Literature came from Korea, and I believe the next Nobel Prize should be in the scientific institutional sector." He added, "The goal of science itself is not the Nobel Prize, but winning it is related to the dignity of the nation."

Jeong stated, "After Professor Heo Jun received the Fields Medal, interest in mathematics among middle and high school students has increased," and he regarded this as one of the secondary effects of the Nobel Prize.

Jeong explained the Nobel Prize project by saying, "We will select outstanding scientists who are candidates for the Nobel Prize and provide concentrated support," adding, "It is about supporting and helping networking for outstanding scientists in the international scientific community, not research funding."

Strengthening various collaborations and joint academic events with the international scientific community is also part of the Nobel Prize project. The academy held a joint symposium on energy transition with the German Leopoldina Academy in January this year and is continuing projects with the Italian Accademia dei Lincei and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. An official from the academy explained, "We aim to become a private scientific diplomacy channel that promotes the excellent capabilities of domestic scientists internationally."

Jeong also expressed his intention to improve the academy's closed structure. The academy faced criticism last year during the previous president's tenure due to allegations of abuse by the executive board and a decline in ethics. Additionally, the budget received from the government was significantly reduced.

Jeong noted, "We are discussing the creation of an advisory committee involving external commissioners and measures to open The Korean Academy of Science and Technology," and stated, "We are reviewing ways to amend outdated bylaws and systems and change the composition of the board of directors."