The Korea Science Award, which is given to those who have produced world-class research achievements, went to Professor Cha Jae-chun of Pohang University of Science and Technology POSTECH and Professor Son Young-woo of the Korea Institute for Advanced Study, while the Korea Engineering Award went to Professor Kim Sang-wook of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology and Professor Lee Haeng-gi of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. They will receive the President's Award and 70 million won in research encouragement funds.
The Ministry of Science and ICT, the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), The Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST), and the Korean Mathematical Society held a combined awards ceremony for the 2025 outstanding scientists on Dec. 18 at the Korea Science and Technology Center in Gangnam District, Seoul. A total of 17 outstanding scientists received awards in four categories: Korea Science and Engineering Awards (4), Young Scientist Awards (4), Scientist and Engineer of the Month Awards (6), and the Choi Seok-jeong Award of the Year (3).
Professor Cha Jae-chun developed disk embedding theory to solve hard problems in manifold and knot theory in the field of topology. He produced results on both the possibility and impossibility of disk embedding, a core unsolved problem in the study of 4-dimensional topological manifolds, and first discovered a transfinite invariant of 3-dimensional manifolds, solving Milnor's problem that had remained unresolved for more than 60 years.
Professor Son Young-woo conducted pioneering theoretical research on the symmetries and quantum states of two-dimensional moiré materials in condensed matter physics. He established theory on how aperiodicity and quasiperiodicity in "moiré materials," layered materials in which two-dimensional crystals are stacked with a twist angle, affect quantum properties, and identified deep connections among symmetry, electronic structure, and lattice structure in condensed matter physics, creating a turning point for precisely designing the electronic properties of next-generation quantum materials.
Professor Kim Sang-wook developed graphene fibers and artificial muscles using graphene oxide liquid crystals. By developing liquid-crystalline graphene oxide, he increased the potential for mass production of high-quality graphene and the development of new functional graphene fibers, contributing to industrialization in the graphene field. In particular, using composite material fibers of graphene and liquid crystal materials, he developed artificial muscles 17 times stronger than human skeletal muscle.
Professor Lee Haeng-gi developed carbon-reducing construction materials using carbon dioxide storage technology. He developed carbon-reducing construction materials that capture and store carbon dioxide emitted by the cement industry in building materials, and, through studies applying carbon dioxide utilization and storage technologies to construction 3D printing processes, presented eco-friendly alternatives for the construction materials industry.
The Young Scientist Award, given to scientists and engineers under 40, went to Professor Jeong Ye-hwan of Hanyang University, Professor Jang Jin-a of Pohang University of Science and Technology POSTECH, Professor Shin Mi-kyung of Sungkyunkwan University, and Professor Yoon Sung-min of Sungkyunkwan University. They will receive the President's Award and 50 million won in research encouragement funds.
The "Choi Seok-jeong Award of the Year," which honors outstanding researchers in mathematics, went to Professor Gye Seung-hyeok of Seoul National University, Professor Park Cheol-woo of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and former Hanshin University Professor Park Ki-hyeon. They received the award of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT and 10 million won in prize money.
Bae Kyung-hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, said, "Today's ceremony is a special moment in which the achievements of researchers who have broadened the horizons of global science and technology beyond Korea shine together," and added, "On behalf of the government of the Republic of Korea, I extend my sincere respect and gratitude to all of you who, without being discouraged by countless failures, ultimately achieved results recognized by the world."