The Ministry of Science and ICT held the ‘2025 Korea Women in Science and Technology Awards’ at the Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies, as announced on the 1st. Organized by the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Women in Science and Technology, this event was prepared to support the growth of female scientists and technologists and encourage contributors who have enhanced research outcomes throughout the year.
The Woman Scientist of the Year award (Deputy Prime Minister and Minister’s Award) was given to Professor Shin Ju-young from Sungkyunkwan University in the academic sector, Senior Researcher Lee Hyun-joo from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology in the industrial sector, and Professor Hong Su-rin from CHA University in the promotion sector.
Professor Shin was recognized for solving a pharmaceutical challenge by elucidating the side effects of antibiotic exposure. Senior Researcher Lee was acknowledged for contributing to carbon neutrality with the commercialization of low-energy carbon dioxide absorbents, and Professor Hong was celebrated for her role in formulating policies and enhancing leadership for female scientists.
Additionally, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (Grand Prize) and Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (Excellence Award) were selected as outstanding institutions for their ‘Recruitment and Employment Target System’ for female scientists.
In the ‘Outstanding Female Graduate Student Engineering Research Team’ category aimed at nurturing future engineering talent, three teams, including Oh Young-eun’s (general course grand prize) and An So-jung’s (advanced course grand prize), received the Minister’s award.
Hong Soon-jung, Director of the Future Talent Policy Bureau, stated, “Women in science and technology who possess diversity and innovative thinking are essential driving forces for Korea to advance into the top three in artificial intelligence globally.”