From left: Kim Ihwan, President of UST, Jung Han, CEO of i3system, Kim Dong-myung, CEO of LG Energy Solution, and Myung Hyun, Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at KAIST. (Provided by KAIST) / News1
(Daejeon=News1) Reporter Kim Tae-jin = The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) announced on the 13th that its alumni association selected Kim Ihwan, President of the University of Science and Technology (UST), Jung Han, CEO of i3system, Kim Dong-myung, CEO of LG Energy Solution, and Myung Hyun, Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at KAIST, as recipients of the ‘KAIST Distinguished Alumni Award.’
The KAIST Distinguished Alumni Award is presented by the alumni association to alumni who have contributed to national and societal development or have enhanced the honor of their alma mater through outstanding academic achievements and social service.
President Kim Ihwan has played a key role in establishing a leading foundation for national science and technology policies and strategies, and has been instrumental in advancing the national research and development system and the enhancement of science and technology workforce training. He significantly contributed to building a foundation for cultivating and utilizing science and technology talents, playing a central role in the establishment of UST and the Korea Science Academy (KSA).
CEO Jung Han is a first-generation researcher in the field of infrared detectors in Korea. He has developed military detectors for over 30 years and founded i3system, a company specialized in infrared detectors, in 1998. The company supplies more than 80% of the infrared detectors used by the Korean military and has achieved export results to over 20 countries.
CEO Kim Dong-myung has led innovations in the battery sector with relentless inquiry and a pioneering spirit, being recognized as an authority in the secondary battery industry. He played a leading role in positioning K-batteries as global leaders, thereby strengthening the nation’s future industrial competitiveness and contributing significantly to the advancement of science and technology.
Professor Myung Hyun achieved a world-first in autonomous walking technology for quadruped robots at the Quadruped Robot Challenge (QRC) with the ‘DreamWalker’ robot, which applies the ‘Dreamwalk’ system based on artificial intelligence deep reinforcement learning for blind walking technology. He has contributed to enhancing the competitiveness of the domestic robot industry by developing unique fully autonomous walking technology that perceives the robot’s surroundings and finds the optimal path.
Lee Yoon-tae, the 27th President of the KAIST Alumni Association, stated, “KAIST alumni have been a driving force for the great growth of various industries by continuing research and development in the field of advanced science and technology for a long time. I am extremely proud of the KAIST alumni awardees who are leading science and technology on the global stage beyond Korea, and I sincerely thank them for their efforts and achievements.”
The award ceremony will be held at the 2025 KAIST Alumni Association New Year’s Gathering at EL Tower in Seoul at 5 PM on the 17th.