Chemistry professor to lead science council

Kim Keon, 62, chemistry professor of Korea University, has been appointed as the sixth chairman of the Korea Research Council of Fundamental Science and Technology, which supports the government’s policy on science research and development and sets up programs to improve affiliated research institutes, the Education and Science Ministry said.

Kim has been a science faculty member at Korea University since 1979 and held major posts at the school, including head of the chemistry department, chief of the admission office and dean of the Science College. 

During his years at Korea University, he has published about 90 articles, which were included in Science Citation Index for renowned domestic and international journals. Kim also holds 20 patents.

Kim acquired a Ph.D. in chemistry at Princeton University, and master’s and bachelor’s in the same field at Korea University.

He has been serving as the head of energy and climate section of a government green growth committee since 2009.

As chair of the research council, he pledged to work for the globalization of national science and the convergence of various scientific fields and contribute to the development of science and technology of the country during his three-year term.

“The keyword of the science field these days is globalization, convergence and integration, and openness. The convergence and integration is possible through transnational cooperation among academic disciplines, research entities. This is the goal that I will try to achieve with my fellow colleagues at the institute,” said Kim in his inaugural address.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)