The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on the 13th that it has selected Lee Yeon-gwan, a researcher at the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and a graduate of KAIST's Department of Aerospace Engineering (master's and doctoral degrees in 2013), as the recipient of the 21st KAIST Jo Jung-hun Academic Award.
Lee Dong-woo, a doctoral student in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at KAIST, Park Sun-woo, a master's student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Korea University, and Kim Kang-min, a student at Gongju National University of Education High School, have been selected as scholarship recipients. They will receive their scholarships on the morning of the 13th at KAIST's main campus.
The KAIST Jo Jung-hun Academic Award was established to honor the late Honorary Doctor Jo Jung-hun, who tragically passed away in May 2003 while conducting research at the KAIST Rocket Laboratory. The award was created from 478 million won donated by Professor Jo Dong-gil, the late doctor's father, combining settlement compensation and personal funds as an academic fund at KAIST. Since 2005, it has been awarded annually to young scientists who have achieved outstanding research results in the field of aerospace engineering.
Lee Yeon-gwan, a researcher at the Agency for Defense Development, has contributed to the development of defense technology through research related to guided missiles and securing core technologies in the defense sector. Despite the unique circumstances of restrictions on the disclosure of defense technology, he has registered a total of 23 papers in SCI-level journals within the approved scope and has filed and registered 26 patents at home and abroad. He has proven his excellent research capabilities by receiving the Defense Acquisition Program Administration's submarine-launched guided missile development commendation (2023), multiple defense science awards, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration's Commissioner's commendation (2018), and the KAIST Outstanding Research Award (2012).
In particular, this researcher has developed design and fabrication technologies for solid fuel rocket composite structures and successfully secured key technologies applicable to submarine-launched guided missiles.
Lee Yeon-gwan stated, "I am very honored to receive this meaningful award given to young scientists who have achieved excellence in aerospace every year," and added, "I will deeply appreciate the significance of this award in honor of the noble academic spirit of Dr. Jo Jung-hun and will continuously strive to contribute to the advancement of science and technology for the country and its people."
President Lee Kwang-hyung noted, "The Jo Jung-hun Academic Award is not just a simple award, but has great significance in remembering and inheriting the passion for academia and the spirit of challenge," and said, "I hope that this year's recipients and scholarship students will follow Dr. Jo's spirit to grow into talents who will lead the future of our country's aerospace technology and science and technology."
With this fund, KAIST selects and awards one scholarship student each year from KAIST, Korea University, and Gongju National University of Education High School, where Dr. Jo studied. The award winner receives a prize of 25 million won, while university (graduate) students receive 4 million won in scholarships and high school students receive 3 million won in scholarships.