The Ministry of Science and ICT said on the 22nd it selected the top 100 outstanding achievements in national research and development (R&D) for 2025. This year, 105 experts evaluated 970 candidate achievements recommended by government ministries and agencies and, after public verification, selected the final 100.
Among them, 12 were selected as best achievements. In machinery and materials, Professor Kim Kyung-min of KAIST was recognized for "development of high-dimensional artificial neurons and a spatiotemporal computing system using the thermal dynamics of a Mott-transition memristor," and Researcher Lee Se-chul of STX Engine was recognized for "development and commercialization of a 1,000-horsepower-class engine mounted on the K9 self-propelled howitzer."
In life sciences and marine, Executive Managing Director Lee Jeong-min of IMBiologics was recognized for "achieving a $1.7 trillion won global technology export for the autoimmune disease treatment IMB-101," and Professor Heo Won-do of KAIST for "developing real-time observation and analysis imaging technology to capture the formation and changes of synapses, the unit of memory, in the brains of living animals." In energy and environment, Head of Team Han Chang-hoon of H2 was recognized for "developing a stack technology for vanadium redox flow batteries with world-class power density at low cost," and Center Director Jeonnam Jung of the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) Photonic Energy Research Center for "commercial-scale manufacturing technology for large-area perovskite solar cells through dry-wet materials and processes."
In information and electronics, Il-gyu Kim, head of the Mobile Communications Research Division at the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), was recognized for "the world's first successful demonstration of 200 Gbps-class 6G wireless transmission technology and securing core foundational 6G technologies," and ETRI Researcher Kim Hye-jin for "commercializing an omnidirectional tactile-sensing robot hand based on a 'flexible pressure sensor' that feels touch like a person, the world's first."
In basic science and infrastructure, Professor Choi Hyeong-jin of Seoul National University was recognized for "the world's first discovery of the mechanism of GLP-1 appetite suppressants," and Lee Hyo-cheol, head of the Center for Advanced Reaction Dynamics at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS), for "real-time capture of the generation of molecular ions and their structural transition processes." In convergence, Professor Jang Kyung-in of DGIST was recognized for "developing a fully implantable wireless telepathy chip for primate brains," and Professor Kim Ji-hee of Dongguk University for "developing a graph-based Deep Learning model to predict cancer types and select key markers using biomarkers."
In addition, among the outstanding achievements produced by national R&D projects, 12 "social problem-solving achievements" that the public can feel were also selected. Professor Jeong Su-hwan of Soongsil University was recognized for "developing and commercializing real-time deepfake voice detection technology," and Seo Min-a, head of the Brain Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)-Sungkyunkwan University, for "developing an ultra-precise optical sensor that detects minute hydrogen gas leaks in real time and quantitatively."
Achievements finally selected for the top 100 receive a certificate and plaque in the name of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, and, under relevant regulations, can receive extra points in project selection and institutional evaluations. Selected researchers will be actively recommended as candidates for awards recognizing contributions to the evaluation of national R&D achievements.
Starting next year, the government will also solicit applications for follow-up project support for tasks selected for the top 100 outstanding achievements and plans to provide about 1.3 billion won per project for three years.
Park In-gyu, head of the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "These are leading research achievements achieved through constant challenge and innovation at universities, research institutes, and corporations," adding, "We will continue to work with relevant ministries to expand support for follow-up projects so the selected outstanding achievements can carry through to industry."