The Ministry of Science and ICT has finalized the official name of the multipurpose synchrotron, which is being built as basic science research infrastructure, as "Korea Light Source (KLS)."
The Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) said on the 23rd that, after a naming selection process with the Ministry of Science and ICT, North Chungcheong Province, and the KBSI Multipurpose Synchrotron Construction Project Group, it decided on the name.
The name was decided based on the "Multipurpose Synchrotron Naming Contest," which ran from Apr. 1. About 13,000 name entries were received, and creativity, symbolism, popularity, and utility were comprehensively evaluated through expert review and a public vote.
As a result of the contest, "POLARIS" was selected for the grand prize. The excellence prizes went to "KOSMOS" and "HAECHI," and the encouragement prizes went to "KONA" and "Daon-Bit." Prize money totaling 6 million won will be awarded: 3 million won for the grand prize, 1 million won each for the excellence prizes, and 500,000 won each for the encouragement prizes.
However, the official name was confirmed through a separate review process rather than using the award-winning entries as is. The Ministry of Science and ICT, North Chungcheong Province, and KBSI additionally examined trademark and other rights relationships, the existence of similar names domestically and abroad, international usability, and distinctiveness.
The naming selection committee, which included experts in related fields such as the Korea Synchrotron Radiation Users Association, reviewed the suitability of a name to be used long-term for a national research facility and its international acceptability, while reflecting the meanings of the contest-winning entries and public preference. As a result, the official name was set as "Korea Saebit Accelerator," the English name as "Korea Light Source," and the abbreviation as "KLS."
"Korea Saebit Accelerator" carries the meaning of illuminating new possibilities for Korea's science and technology. The English name "Korea Light Source" uses the commonly used term "Light Source" in the synchrotron field so overseas researchers can easily understand it. This follows the same naming approach as "Pohang Light Source (PLS)" for the Pohang synchrotron and the United States' "Advanced Light Source (ALS)."
The new name will be used across the entire multipurpose synchrotron construction project as well as in domestic and international research cooperation, academic activities, and official documents.
Shin Seung-hwan, head of the Multipurpose Synchrotron Construction Project Group, said, "This naming decision established the identity of the new research facility based on public participation," and added, "We will push the construction project forward without a hitch so that the Korea Light Source can be widely used in basic science research and advanced industries."