News
100th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Songgok Choi Hyung Sup (November 2, 2020)
- Date : 2020-12-08
- Views : 2241
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Writer
International Cooperation Team
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Att.
100th Anniversary of the Birth of Dr. Hyung Sup Choi
The symposium
commemorated the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Choi (November 2, 1920 ~
May 29, 2004), who founded the system on which Korea's contemporary science and
technology framework is based, and was a chance for reflection on his
contributions to national development and promotion of his dauntless spirit.
The event was sponsored by the Ministry of Science and ICT and co-hosted by
KIST, the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), and the Korea
Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST). The symposium, which
was linked to STEPI's 438th Science and Technology Policy Forum, was
particularly notable as it was broadcast online, with civilians being able to watch
the uploaded video at the below link*.
*Link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Nsv1nZdcK0uJmLxtQL0Tg/videos?app=desktop
The event kicked
off with an opening speech from Dr. Seok Jin Yoon, President of KIST, followed
by welcoming speeches from the President of STEPI, Dr. Hwang-Hee Cho, the Chair
of KOFST, Dr. Woo Il Lee, and the Chair of KIST’s Yeonwoo Membership, Dr. Ho
Gun Park. Moreover, congratulatory speeches were given by Mr. Won Wook Lee,
Chairman of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, and
Mr. Hong Taek Yong, Head of the R&D Policy Division at the Ministry of
Science and ICT.
Starting with a
presentation titled "Designer of Korean Science and Technology, Dr. Hyung
Sup Choi" by Jeonbuk National University Professor Dr. Man Yong Moon, the
symposium was held under the theme of "The Leadership of Dr. Hyung Sup
Choi and the Future of Korea" by former President of Korea University, Dr.
Jae Ho Yeom. Also, Dr. Hirasawa Ryo, an Honorary Professor at Tokyo University
who has visited Korea every year on the anniversary of Dr. Hyung Sup Choi’s
passing, recalled memories of him in a speech sent by video.
Following these
segments, a panel discussion was held with Dr. Won Hoon Park, former President
of KIST; Dr. Young Rak Choi, former President of STEPI; Mr. Seok Bong Lee, CEO
of Daedeok Net; Dr. Hyung Sup Choi, Professor at Seoul National University of
Science and Technology; Dr. Eun Young Kim, former President of KIST; and Dr.
Jon Min Koo, senior researcher at KIST, discussing the figurative footsteps
taken by the founding president of KIST and the future direction of science for
the nation.
Dr. Seok Jin Yoon,
President of KIST, stated that he wished to utilize this symposium as a place
“to reflect upon Dr. Hyung Sup Choi’s achievements, as well as his philosophy
and passion, which contributed greatly to the development of science and
technology in Korea." Furthermore, he hoped that “his spirit will continue
to motivate the current generation of researchers to open up the future to us."
Dr. Hyung Sup Choi
was born in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, on November 2, 1920. He earned a Doctorate
degree in engineering from the University of Minnesota, served as the founding
President of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), and paved
the way for the nation’s S&T development theories and policies by serving
as Minister of Korea’s Science and Technology Ministry for 7 years. He later
served as the president of the Korea Federation of Science and Technology
Societies (KOFST). He was laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Daejeon on
May 29, 2004. Among his exploits as a scientist throughout his life, he wrote
12 books, including "The Institute of the Undying Light," and 120
papers in the field of metal engineering S&T policy. In 1996, he was
awarded the Order of Civil Merit from the Korean government.
In particular, one
of the researchers’ virtues he frequently mentioned, "Don't dwell on
wealth and titles, keep aloof from time and concentrate on study, don’t boast
of what you know, but reflect on what you don't know," is exemplified by
the present generation of researchers.