Academics
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Global Eminence
California State Senate Unanimously Adopts International Day of Peace Resolution
State Senator Steven Choi sponsored the resolution with 22 co-authors Taking place 45 years to the day after the original 1981 peace proposal, the vote reaffirmed peace as a public value SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On June 29, 2026, the California State Senate chamber filled with a steady chorus of “Aye” as senators voted 39–0 to adopt Senate Resolution 113, commemorating the UN International Day of Peace. With no dissent, the vote marked a major step forward in the global pursuit of peace. The date carried historical significance. Exactly 45 years earlier, on June 29, 1981, Young Seek Choue (Miwon, 1921–2012), Founder of the Kyung Hee University System, first proposed the establishment of a UN International Day and Year of Peace. He presented the proposal in his keynote address, “The Great Imperative: Peace is more Precious than Triumph,” at the Sixth Triennial Conference of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) in San José, Costa Rica. Later that year, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 36/67 without a vote, establishing the International Day of Peace and advancing the proposal for an International Year of Peace. The General Assembly subsequently proclaimed 1986 the International Year of Peace. Senate Resolution 113 honors that history and affirms the continuing relevance of the peace vision behind the 1981 initiative. State Senator Steven Choi sponsored the resolution, which was co-authored by 22 state senators, including Benjamin Allen, Marie Alvarado-Gil, and Bob Archuleta. The resolution commemorates the historical origins of the International Day of Peace while calling on the global community to widely share and practice the values of peace and international cooperation. A Peace Proposal 45 Years Ago, a Civilizational Task Today ▶ Read the full text of Senate Resolution 113 The resolution carries significance beyond a typical commemorative gesture by a state legislature. California is a global center of economic activity and environmental policy. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the International Monetary Fund, California’s nominal GDP reached $4.1 trillion in 2024—ranking first among U.S. states and making it the world’s fourth-largest economy if measured as a country. Beyond technology, culture, industry, and trade, California has long led global agendas in climate action. The state actively pursues ambitious policies—ranging from carbon neutrality and clean-energy expansion to the conservation of land and marine ecosystems—while forging international networks to drive collective climate action. Consequently, a unanimous peace resolution from a senate with such global influence carries political and symbolic weight far beyond the state’s borders. It brings the peace vision behind the 1981 initiative into contemporary civic discourse in a region helping shape global transformation. Prior to the vote, Senator Choi introduced the resolution and explained its purpose. He described peace as the product of ideas, leadership, education, and a shared willingness to work together for the common good. He added that the measure commemorates not only the day, but also Founder Choue’s role in bringing the initiative into being—a reminder that an idea pursued with conviction can influence the world. The proposal emerged as the Cold War approached its zenith, with the threat of nuclear war shadowing the world and the arms race intensifying. Reports presented to the UN General Assembly at the time warned that the nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons stockpiled by the United States and the Soviet Union could destroy humanity many times over. Both superpowers devoted vast resources to expanding their nuclear arsenals and developing countermeasures. Confronting this existential crisis, Founder Choue declared: “A nuclear war leaves neither victor nor vanquished—only total annihilation. We must not try to prevent nuclear conflict by developing ever-newer weapons. Instead, we must cultivate a philosophy of peace and fundamentally transform the climate of the international community.” Recognizing that the roots of war lie in the human mind, as noted in the UNESCO Constitution, he argued that education has a vital duty to teach and explore how inner peace can be translated into a shared, lived reality. He called for a collective effort, urging individuals, societies, universities, and nations to mobilize their full capacities to make peace a reality. This conception of peace went far beyond the mere absence of conflict. It was an expansive civilizational vision centered on harmonious coexistence: between self and other, society and the world, nature and civilization, and humanity and the cosmos. It represented an enduring quest for mutual flourishing, harmony, and systemic resonance across the universe. This moral and intellectual urgency resonated deeply with the university leaders in San José. More than 600 university presidents at the IAUP conference unanimously endorsed the proposal. Later that year, on November 30, 1981, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 36/67 without a vote, officially establishing the International Day of Peace and inviting further consideration of an International Year of Peace. The resolution designated the third Tuesday of September—the opening day of the General Assembly’s regular sessions—as the International Day of Peace, urging member states, UN bodies, regional organizations, NGOs, and individuals to observe the day, particularly through education. The UN subsequently proclaimed 1986 the International Year of Peace, and a 2001 resolution fixed the annual observance on September 21. Today, the day serves as a living platform for reflection and peaceful action around the world. Founder Young Seek Choue proposed the establishment of the UN International Day and Year of Peace at the Sixth IAUP Triennial Conference in San José, Costa Rica, on June 29, 1981 (left). More than 600 university presidents endorsed the proposal in the Costa Rica Resolution (right). Courtesy of the Kyung Hee University Archives. Rethinking Peace in an Age of Climate Crisis Senator Choi also highlighted Founder Choue’s view that universities bear a moral responsibility beyond transmitting academic knowledge. “They must foster peace, mutual understanding, and respect among nations and peoples,” he said. “His vision was clear: peace must be taught, promoted, and celebrated as a shared responsibility of humanity.” He concluded with a call to action: “We hope this resolution ignites a new wave of peace movements beyond California and across the globe. The world must embrace this spirit now.” ▶ Watch the presentation of Senate Resolution 113 The adoption of this resolution in California invites a more expansive understanding of peace. The resolution defines peace not simply as the absence of war but as the presence of justice, mutual respect, and cooperation. In an era of climate crisis, that understanding carries renewed urgency. As Californians routinely face compounding disasters—where extreme heat, prolonged drought, wildfires, torrential rains, flooding, and rising sea levels amplify one another—peace can no longer be defined solely as the absence of war. It must expand to encompass safeguarding lives and homes, securing water and food, and protecting health and human dignity. It also means ensuring that the burdens of climate change do not fall disproportionately on vulnerable communities and exercising active stewardship of the environment for future generations. These contemporary realities lend new relevance to a vision of peace grounded in harmony between self and other, society and the world, and nature and civilization. Notably, Senator Choi is a Kyung Hee alumnus who earned his bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature from the university, adding further symbolic significance to the resolution. A peace initiative that began at Kyung Hee was formally reaffirmed 45 years later in a major U.S. state legislature, driven by education and an alumnus's public service. This convergence shows how an educational idea can enter public life through alumni service, public responsibility, and civic action. Bipartisan Support on the Senate Floor Seven state senators took the floor to speak in support of the measure. Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas stated, “This resolution calls on us to reaffirm our shared commitment to peace, nonviolence, mutual understanding, respect, and human dignity. Amid today's tragic realities, where so many lives are lost to conflict, reflecting on peace is more urgent than ever. Nothing is more valuable than peace.” She also emphasized the role of education in advancing international cooperation. Senator Jerry McNerney shared, “Peace requires more than supporting an abstract idea; it requires action. We cannot take peace for granted, as the stakes of conflict are simply too high.” He then cast his vote in support. Senator Anna Caballero drew the chamber's attention with two questions: “What kind of future could we promise if we focused our efforts on preventing conflict rather than merely reacting to it? What opportunities might emerge if we invested our resources in uplifting all individuals, focusing on human potential and mutual understanding?” She linked these questions to the wartime experience and educational philosophy behind the 1981 proposal, emphasizing dialogue, mutual respect, shared humanity, and education as foundations for lasting peace. She concluded, “This resolution represents our promise to bridge conflict and division, leaving future generations a world defined by the possibilities created through peace.” ▶ Watch statements in support of Senate Resolution 113 The bipartisan consensus behind the resolution gives it additional significance. Across many societies, intensifying partisanship and political division increasingly shape public debate. Even shared human challenges—including peace, nuclear disarmament, climate change, and pandemic response—are often filtered through narrow political interests. Yet these issues transcend any one nation or political camp; they are civilizational imperatives central to a sustainable future. Against this backdrop, the California Senate’s unanimous support sends a clear message beyond the state: peace is not merely a political slogan, but a shared ethical commitment sustained through education, international cooperation, and daily practice. The UN General Assembly established the International Day of Peace in 1981, proclaimed 1986 the International Year of Peace, and fixed September 21 as the annual observance in 2001. Courtesy of the United Nations. “May a New Peace Movement Spread Across the World” Jong-Bok Kim, Provost for External Affairs of Kyung Hee University, watched the vote from the Senate chamber. Deeply moved to witness the Senate’s acknowledgment of Kyung Hee’s long-standing commitment to world peace, he described the vote as a historic and emotional moment in which that call for peace reached beyond California to a wider global audience. Following the vote, a ceremony organized by the Miwon Peace Prize Supporters Association marked the resolution’s adoption. California officials, political and academic leaders, and representatives of the Northern California Korean American community gathered to reflect on the history and contemporary relevance of the International Day of Peace. Participants affirmed peace and international cooperation as urgent priorities and pledged to carry that commitment forward through public engagement and cooperation. Dong Soo Kim, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Miwon Peace Prize Supporters Association, described the resolution as an opportunity to carry the original peace initiative into renewed public engagement. “We hope this resolution ignites a renewed global movement for peace.” Beyond Commemoration: A Public Commitment Across Nations The spirit of the International Day of Peace is already expressed in diverse ways by international organizations, governments, and local communities. Several nations have elevated peace to a national public agenda, organizing educational programs and civic initiatives. Each year at UN Headquarters, the Peace Bell ceremony recalls the call for nonviolence and ceasefire. In regions with active UN peacekeeping deployments, such as Lebanon and South Sudan, peacekeepers, community leaders, and residents gather to reaffirm commitments to dialogue and reconciliation. In Ghana, the National Peace Council and regional peace councils lead commemorations involving government officials, traditional leaders, religious groups, civil society, and students. Universities and educational institutions are also deepening their engagement with the International Day of Peace. The Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame organizes special lectures and student programs. The University of Tokyo and other Japanese universities hold public seminars on peace and sustainability. At leading Thai universities, such as Mahidol University and Chulalongkorn University, students lead peace forums, community service projects, and exhibitions. Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU), a Buddhist university, observes the day through meditation, prayer, and nonviolence programs. Interfaith bodies like the World Council of Churches organize joint prayer services, while temples, churches, and mosques host shared prayers and declarations for interreligious reconciliation and coexistence. Meanwhile, the nonprofit organization Peace One Day conducts global campaigns to expand awareness of the day. Together, these initiatives demonstrate that the International Day of Peace has evolved beyond a mere commemorative date into a public covenant and a living framework for action—sustained by governments, academia, religious communities, and civil society. The record of UN General Assembly Resolution 36/67, adopted on November 30, 1981. The resolution established the International Day of Peace and encouraged its observance, particularly through education. The Miwon Peace Prize: Carrying Forward Kyung Hee’s Philosophy and Practice of Peace On the same day in Seoul, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists was named laureate of the Second Miwon Peace Prize. While California reaffirmed the historical origins of the International Day of Peace, Kyung Hee honored an organization that has long confronted the existential risks posed by nuclear weapons, the climate crisis, and disruptive technologies. Together, these two events renew a central imperative of our time: peace must be more than a passive inheritance; it must be practiced actively to shape the future of civilization. Established in 2024, the Miwon Peace Prize carries forward Founder Choue’s vision of peace and civic engagement, honoring individuals or organizations devoted to the future of planetary society. Through the prize, the Kyung Hee University System seeks to keep alive the light of humanity that upheld dignity and possibility amid the devastation of war and violence in the last century. Articulated throughUnfolding Cultural Worlds for Humanity, this vision envisages a planetary society in which all can live in freedom and peace. The prize seeks to reassert peace as a civilizational task amid deepening existential threats and to open a new horizon of peace for planetary society. The prize is supported by the Miwon Peace Prize Supporters Association. The Bulletin has brought humanity's existential risks into global public consciousness through scientific insight and public responsibility. It was established in 1945 by Manhattan Project scientists who sought to bring the ethical implications of nuclear technology into public deliberation. Renowned scientists like Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer played key roles in its early history. The award ceremony will take place on September 21 during the 45th International Conference Commemorating the International Day of Peace (Peace BAR Festival). ▶ Read the article announcing the Bulletin as laureate of the Second Miwon Peace Prize Forty-Five Years of Inquiry into Peace and Civilization To inspire reflection and civic engagement for a peaceful future, Kyung Hee has hosted its annual peace forum since 1982, commemorating the first UN International Day of Peace. The Peace BAR Festival (PBF) carries forward this tradition as a public forum examining the crises and opportunities of contemporary society and seeking pathways toward a society that is spiritually Beautiful, materially Affluent, and humanly Rewarding (BAR). Across this 45-year tradition, Kyung Hee’s peace forums have explored the possibilities of civilizational transformation—covering topics from the Cold War and arms race to democracy, human restoration, inter-civilizational dialogue, and an existential revolution for peace. Kyung Hee continues this tradition with this year's PBF theme: “Peace or Collapse – Aesthetic Pathway to Planetary Civilization.” At a time when unprecedented threats from climate change, nuclear weapons, and disruptive technologies converge into an existential crisis, what new possibilities can we open for life, politics, and civilization? Centered on the question of civilizational aesthetics, the forum will explore a new horizon of peace. This is not about adding another commemorative date to the calendar. It is about giving concrete expression in each society to the original intent of the 1981 UN resolution, which encouraged all UN Member States, international and regional organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and citizens to participate, especially through education. The horizon of peace must extend beyond the cessation of war and violence. It must encompass human dignity and social reconciliation, climate and ecological security, and collective safety from nuclear weapons and disruptive technologies. When the International Day of Peace—rooted in the 1981 proposal and subsequent UN resolution—is continually reinterpreted and put into practice in light of each country’s history and present circumstances, peace can transcend a single day of commemoration and take root as a civilizational way of life shared by humanity.
2026.08.28 -
Research
Seeking Solutions for Sustainable Food Packaging
Research Excellence Proven by Academic Milestones Professor Jun Tae Kim conducts research on bioplastic-based, multifunctional food packaging materials. Over the past three years and four months, he has published 69 SCIE papers, with 68.4% of his 38 lead-author publications appearing in journals ranking in the top 10% of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR). In 2025, he was named to the single-year list of the World's Top 2% Scientists published by Elsevier and Stanford University. He also conducts safety evaluation research for food utensils, containers, and packaging under research commissions from the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation, helping to establish relevant national regulatory standards. Professor Kim credited his selection as a Kyung Hee Fellow to the collaborative efforts of his laboratory members rather than to individual achievement. “It is highly meaningful to receive recognition for our research, and I will continue to approach our work with a deep sense of responsibility,” he reflected. Professor Kim and his research team at the Food Processing and Packaging Laboratory work together on multifunctional food packaging materials. Research to Enhance Freshness and Monitor Quality His research on multifunctional food packaging proceeds along three main paths. The first is active packaging technology, which integrates antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties with UV blocking and gas absorption capabilities. This suppresses food oxidation and microbial growth, preserving freshness and significantly extending shelf life. The second is intelligent packaging technology, which utilizes changes in color or fluorescence to allow customers to visually inspect food freshness. The third path focuses on developing eco-friendly packaging materials using bioplastics to enhance sustainability. Safety remains the absolute standard of his research. “Because packaging materials come into direct contact with food, safety must be guaranteed before we consider functionality,” Professor Kim emphasized. The laboratory verifies material safety through cytotoxicity assays and migration tests. Professor Kim has consistently conducted safety evaluations for food-contact items, earning the Encouragement Award for Outstanding Performance in R&D Projects from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in 2023. At the laboratory level, they have confirmed significant preservation effects. “We verified that the storage period was extended in seafood like shrimp, and overall, our materials prolonged freshness by 30% to 40%,” Professor Kim stated. This is the result of combined properties working in unison—including antioxidants, antimicrobials, gas absorbers, and UV blockers—to inhibit food oxidation and microbial growth. Professor Kim’s research focuses on reducing food waste during distribution and storage, and developing packaging materials that can replace petroleum-based plastics. Because different foods spoil for different reasons, the required packaging functions vary. Antibacterial functions are critical for foods prone to microbial growth, while antioxidant functions are vital for items that oxidize rapidly. While tailoring functions to address these specific needs, the laboratory is also researching highly versatile packaging materials that can be easily adopted by industry. Postdoctoral researchers Dr. Zohreh Riahi (Materials Science Engineering) and Dr. Thangarasu Sasikumar (Chemistry) bring fresh perspectives to expand the scope of active and intelligent packaging research. Expanding Research Scope Through Institutional Support and CollaborationInstitutional support from the university played a key role in helping Professor Kim establish his food packaging research. “We were able to build our foundation and continue our research thanks to support from the Office of Research and University-Industry Cooperation,” he shared. Through the "Future-Leading Young Researcher" support program, he received 80 million won in initial funding over two years, along with comprehensive administrative assistance in project application, agreements, budget review, and fund execution. Support for purchasing research materials and hosting academic conferences through research administrative staff programs also helped sustain their work. Professor Kim views collaboration with his laboratory members as the cornerstone of his work, comparing the research process to an "ensemble" rather than a "solo performance." Based on flat, horizontal communication, he conducts regular lab meetings to share progress and fosters an environment where all members can freely propose ideas. Postdoctoral researchers recruited from abroad also participate in the laboratory. By bringing materials science and chemistry researchers into a laboratory traditionally focused on food science, the team has expanded its research boundaries. The laboratory collaborates with the materials science specialist on metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, and with the chemist on fluorescent sensor-based intelligent packaging. “Integrating perspectives from different disciplines has helped us introduce novel materials and methodologies,” Professor Kim explained. Next Steps: Commercialization and Carbon-Neutral Material Development Moving forward, Professor Kim plans to focus on two major areas. The first is scaling up functional packaging materials proven in the lab to technologies that can be implemented in actual industrial settings. The second is intensifying research into carbon-neutral materials that account for the entire life cycle of packaging, from production to disposal. Commercialization remains a key challenge. “While active packaging is closer to industrial application than intelligent packaging, we must still resolve issues related to unit cost, manufacturing stability, and safety verification,” Professor Kim noted. The laboratory is focusing on finding materials and manufacturing processes that can overcome these limitations. “I want to focus on the fundamental, essential challenges in the field of food packaging,” Professor Kim said, adding that research always begins with the question "why." He places great emphasis on thorough review, iterative verification, and strict research ethics. For him, selection as a Kyung Hee Fellow is both a powerful motivator to continue his research and a responsibility to deliver even better results.
2026.08.18- SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
- SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
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Global Eminence
Kyung Hee University Hosts Leadership Seminar to Align Strategy and Execution
Kyung Hee held the "2026 Leadership Workshop” to align efforts toward university goals. University shares core objectives including student success, educational innovation, and administrative/financial reform Participants seek strategies to strengthen organizational execution and collaboration in the era of AI transition Kyung Hee University held the "2026 Leadership Workshop for Department and Team Heads: Achieving University Goals" at the Resom Resort in Jecheon. Building on the strategic priorities and institutional goals outlined during February’s Academic Affairs Committee retreat, the 2026 Leadership Workshop aimed to translate these broader initiatives into concrete department-level action plans to strengthen the university's overall execution capacity. Attendees included President Jinsang Kim, vice presidents, key university administrators, and team and department directors from the headquarters, colleges, and affiliated institutions. The higher education landscape is shifting rapidly amid a shrinking school-age population, AI-driven transformations in teaching and research, fluctuating finances, and mounting competition among universities. In such a transitional era, establishing a ground-level execution framework is just as vital as formulating high-level strategy. To that end, the workshop reaffirmed the role of team and department directors not as mere messengers of top-down strategy, but as core operational leaders who coordinate execution and champion cross-departmental collaboration. Organized around two daily themes–”Understanding, Reflection, and Role Redefinition" on Day 1, and "Execution Leadership for Transformation: Completing the Strategy" on Day 2–the workshop provided a forum for participants to align on institutional priorities, flesh out department-specific action plans, and explore practical solutions for university advancement. President Jinsang Kim encouraged the participating team and department directors through his address, "Action for Transformation and a Bold Leap Forward." Reaffirming the Role of Team Directors on the Front Lines of University Transformation In his opening remarks, Director of Human Resources Se-Yoon Oh outlined the purpose of the workshop, emphasizing the need to reflect on how education and research achievements create tangible impact for students and society, and whether administrative operations adequately support the commitment and creativity of faculty and staff. He expressed hope that the workshop would serve not merely as a one-time gathering, but as a catalyst that translates mutual understanding into concrete organizational change. Next, President Jinsang Kim shared a message underscoring the vital roles and responsibilities of department and team leaders under the theme "Action for Transformation and a Bold Leap Forward." With President Kim briefly stepping away to attend a government project presentation, Provost (Seoul) Eunlim Chi delivered the address on his behalf. President Kim highlighted that university-wide strategies and goals come to fruition only through daily operational execution and organic inter-departmental collaboration, placing frontline leaders in a pivotal position to coordinate priorities and accelerate success. “Realizing our institutional vision requires the steady accumulation of daily choices and disciplined execution,” President Kim emphasized in his address. “We need the insight to identify on-the-ground challenges, bridge departments, and drive decisive action. University leadership will spare no effort in clarifying authority and responsibility to build an environment where every member can reach their full potential. Initiative and collaborative coordination are the driving forces that will turn Kyung Hee’s global excellence into reality. Let us learn together, communicate boldly, and lead with action.” Department and team leaders engaged in active discussions, drawing on their administrative expertise to shape execution strategies across eight sessions during the two-day workshop. Translating Vision into Concrete Action Plans The two-day workshop comprised eight intensive sessions. Day 1 opened with presentations on the “Status of 2025 University Goals & 2026 Plans" and "Academic Affairs Committee Outcomes & Best Practices for Enhancing Institutional Competitiveness." Guided by the Kyung Hee University System’s banner theme, “Aim Higher, Act Deeper," participants aligned on the institution’s strategic roadmap in an era of rapid transition. Discussions centered on moving beyond ranking-driven competition to reinforce Kyung Hee’s distinctive strengths and identity. To achieve this, the university outlined plans to foster “Global Niche Tops" across core disciplines and establish a human-centered "KHU Signature." Participants also explored avenues to secure long-term competitiveness by expanding global networks, developing open-platform campuses, modernizing finance and physical infrastructure, and refining internal performance systems. Additionally, attendees stressed the need for a cohesive operational framework so that research excellence translates directly into enhanced institutional reputation, diversified revenue streams, and enriched student satisfaction. Session 2 showcased proven practices and strategic priorities across five key areas: student success (career placement and graduate studies), academic systems, development and public relations, administrative and financial innovation, and research support infrastructure. Emphasizing student growth as the cornerstone of university governance, participants proposed robust support mechanisms spanning career development, graduate studies, and entrepreneurship. Key initiatives highlighted to systematically scaffold student pathways included graduation deferral options, expanded field training and internships, undergraduate research programs, and the launch of an integrated Student Growth Platform. On the academic front, discussions focused on expanding interdisciplinary and multi-major curricula, implementing institute-anchored educational models, and aligning student course choice with academic advising frameworks. In external affairs, strategies addressed elevating brand equity, mobilizing alumni networks, and cultivating a sustainable culture of philanthropy. Meanwhile, administrative and research support sessions focused on optimizing expenditure, maximizing space utilization, and modernizing administrative services to attract research funding. These presentations set the stage for in-depth breakout discussions and the formulation of department-level action plans during Day 2’s strategy execution sessions. Working groups gathered across specialized tracks—Student Success, the Student Growth Platform, Administrative/Financial/Research Support Systems, Development & External Relations, and Academic Systems—to convert high-level institutional goals into actionable department roadmaps. Special lectures scheduled between sessions helped participants deepen their understanding of AI-era transformations and the shifting generational landscape. Navigating Administrative Leadership Amidst AI Transition and Generational Shifts Day 2 opened with special lectures and the sharing of strategic execution plans. Director of Information Technology Sung-Won Lee delivered the first lecture, "Practical Administrative Strategies for Building an AI-Native University." Outlining rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and their broad societal and industrial impacts, Director Lee emphasized that university administration must proactively adapt. He noted that as generative AI accelerates the shift from traditional lecture-based instruction to ecosystems centered on creativity, experimentation, and interdisciplinary connection, administrative units must actively embrace and integrate new technologies and workflows. During the subsequent "Strategy Execution & Action Plan Sharing Session," participants consolidated concrete action plans emerging from the previous day's breakout discussions. Key proposals to elevate student success included graduation deferral policies, expanded field internships, counseling-anchored career advising, and enriched undergraduate research fellowship opportunities. Participants also discussed integrating full-lifecycle student data from matriculation to graduation via the Student Growth Platform to provide sophisticated, tailored support. Additional core initiatives included expanding double majors and micro-credentials, strengthening college-driven development and reputation management, and optimizing spending and space allocation. The third special lecture, "Creating a Performance Culture with the MZ Generation," explored the direction of organizational leadership in a shifting generational landscape. The session addressed evolving workplace expectations among the "MZ" generation (Millennials and Generation Z), emphasizing that differences in perspective should be understood as distinct expectations and viewpoints rather than simple perceptual gaps. Attendees reaffirmed the importance of adapting to changing communication environments and understanding team member characteristics to foster mutual trust and collaboration across the organization. The workshop concluded with an open, candid Q&A session between President Jinsang Kim and department and team leaders. Dialogue with the President: Aligning Infrastructure and Communication The final session featured a "Dialogue with the President," opening the floor to an in-depth Q&A session on key institutional priorities, including future strategy, educational innovation, human resources, and academic restructuring. Reflecting on his tenure, President Kim expressed gratitude to the university community: "With more than half of my four-year term now behind us, meaningful change is taking tangible shape. The dedication of our faculty and staff has played a pivotal role in structuring and elevating the university's foundational systems." Addressing the administrative staff in particular, he added, "While our staff possess outstanding capabilities, the university has not always provided sufficient structural support for them to fully thrive. In the remainder of my term, I am committed to strengthening the institutional environment to empower our staff." The session also addressed personnel management strategies to support key university policies. President Kim emphasized, "We must recruit and cultivate exceptional talent equipped with deeper academic backgrounds and specialized expertise." Designating personnel, finance, and physical space as the university's three core resources, he highlighted the need for continuous operational improvements to manage them efficiently and rationally. Discussions also turned to academic restructuring alongside the expansion of double majors and convergence programs. Participants noted that traditional academic silos are insufficient for preparing students for a future defined by technological disruption and the transition to AI, underscoring the urgency of reforming the educational framework. In response, President Kim affirmed that institutional reforms must proceed through meticulous preparation, iterative refinement, and sustained, transparent dialogue with all members of the university community. President Jinsang Kim outlines his vision to enter the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings and establish a new university model where research is integrated into everyday life. President Jinsang Kim Pledges to Build a New Communication Model Grounded in Emotion, Culture, and Empathy President Kim followed with a structural analysis of the university's strategies for navigating an evolving future. "During my term, I have set a clear goal to elevate Kyung Hee into the global top 100 in world university rankings," President Kim stated, underscoring that "we must prioritize overwhelming qualitative excellence over mere quantitative growth." He highlighted the imperative to bolster specialized qualitative competitiveness, expand research-anchored education, and drive differentiation strategies that maximize Kyung Hee's unique strengths. "We will establish a new paradigm where research is woven into daily life across the university," he declared. In his closing remarks, President Kim emphasized: “Now is the time for execution.” Stressing the critical importance of translating high-level strategy into tangible action, he noted that institutional transformation cannot be achieved by policy revisions alone, but thrives on mutual trust, collaboration, and transparent, sustained dialogue among all members of the university community. Moving forward, Kyung Hee plans to cultivate an open, agile organizational culture driven by active communication channels, AI-enabled administrative innovation, and an institutionalized proposal system Beyond simply sharing institutional goals, the two-day leadership retreat provided a practical springboard for translating strategic vision into department-level execution.
2026.08.18- SDG 4 - Quality Education
- SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
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Global Eminence
College of Dentistry Class of 1996 Donates 103 Million Won to Mark 30th Graduation Anniversary
The College of Dentistry’s Class of 1996 (24th Graduating Class) donated a development fund to mark the 30th anniversary of their graduation. The gift will support the "Dental Education Great Transformation Initiative," aimed at cultivating forward-looking dental leaders prepared for an era of rapid technological innovation. Alumni carry forward the dental school tradition of donating to their alma mater on their 30th graduation anniversary “Giving back to the university that shaped who we are today” Donation funds the "Kyung Hee Dental Education Transformation Project" to innovate dental education The College of Dentistry’s Class of 1996 (24th Graduating Class) donated 103 million won in development funds to commemorate their 30th graduation anniversary. The gift presentation ceremony was held on Monday, June 29, in Room 213 of the Main Building. Attendees included President Jinsang Kim, Vice President for Medical Affairs Jeong-Taek Woo, and Director of External Affairs Do Kyun Kim, alongside alumni representatives from the graduating class: Dean of the College of Dentistry Yong-Dae Kwon, Chan-Yong Eom (Director of Bangbae Bon Dental Clinic), Young-Hoon Lee (Director of Merden Dental Clinic), and Won-Kyung Kim (Director of Top Dental Clinic). The College of Dentistry maintains a proud tradition where each class comes together to contribute to the university’s development fund on their 30th graduation anniversary. The 45 members of the 24th Graduating Class (Class of 1996; matriculated in 1990) previously raised around 30 million won to mark their 20th anniversary in 2016. Convening again for their 30th milestone reunion, the class launched an additional fundraising initiative with the goal of surpassing a cumulative total of 100 million won. "The College of Dentistry has fostered a remarkable culture of giving built on the close-knit bonds among its alumni," said President Jinsang Kim. "To honor our dental alumni's enduring commitment to their junior colleagues and future students, we will continue striving to elevate Kyung Hee's stature even further." "Celebrating our 30th anniversary is especially meaningful because one of our own classmates is currently serving as dean," remarked alumnus Young-Hoon Lee. "Our class simply felt that stepping up was our responsibility." Alumnus Chan-Yong Eom added: "Seeing alumni from other institutions rally together to support their schools motivated us to show our own strength. Our classmates joined in wholeheartedly, allowing us to achieve results that exceeded our initial expectations." Alumnus Won-Kyung Kim reflected: "I didn't fully appreciate it as an entering student, but now, standing where I am in my career, I feel immense gratitude to the university that shaped who I am. I had long wanted to give back, and this reunion gave us the opportunity to unite our efforts. Our class remains eager to step forward whenever we can support the university's growth." This gift will directly support the "Kyung Hee Dental Education Transformation Project." Dean Kwon explained: “Next year, the College of Dentistry will celebrate its 60th anniversary. While cutting-edge innovations such as artificial intelligence are rapidly reshaping clinical dentistry, traditional curricula have struggled to keep pace with these real-world advancements. Dental education must chart a forward-looking path aligned with future demands. Through this project, we will spearhead reforms in dental education to empower our students to adapt proactively to a rapidly shifting healthcare landscape in this era of civilizational transition."
2026.08.18 -
Global Eminence
Serving a Warm Meal to Students Ahead of Final Exams
Office of External Affairs hosts "Free Breakfast & 1,000-Won Lunch" student meal support event Donation-funded meals support 2,400 students on both campuses during exam period Ahead of final exams, students were greeted with a warm meal. From Tuesday, June 9, to Thursday, June 11, the Office of External Affairs hosted a meal support initiative for the first semester of the 2026 academic year across both the Seoul and Global Campuses. Featuring the "Free Breakfast" and "1,000-Won Lunch" programs, the event aimed to ease financial stress during exam week and support students' studies with nourishing meals. Donation-Funded "Free Breakfast" and "1,000-Won Lunch" The initiative was funded by micro-donations raised through the "Todac-Todac Support Table" campaign. Since launching in 2021, the campaign has become Kyung Hee's flagship grassroots giving program, directly connecting alumni and donor contributions to student welfare through hands-on meal support. The event took place simultaneously across both the Seoul and Global Campuses. The "Free Breakfast" program expanded upon the Student Support Center’s existing "1,000-Won Breakfast" initiative. For three days during final exams, donor funds covered the remaining 1,000-won student co-pay, allowing students to enjoy a free breakfast. Meals were provided to 300 students daily at the Seoul Campus (Pureunsol Cafeteria) and the Global Campus (Student Center Cafeteria), serving 900 students in total. Lunchtime featured the "1,000-Won Lunch" program, which served 500 students daily across the Cheongwoon Building Cafeteria in Seoul and the Student Center Cafeteria on the Global Campus, benefiting 1,500 students. For just 1,000 won, students enjoyed high-quality meals valued at 5,500 won, with donor funds covering the difference. The cafeterias offered three menu choices daily, including two premium 8,500-won options on featured menu days—all available at the same 1,000-won price point. President Jinsang Kim visited the Cheongwoon Building Cafeteria on the Seoul Campus to encourage students ahead of their final exams. Supporting Students, Connecting Through Gratitude On special menu days, donors, university leadership, and student representatives visited the cafeterias to offer words of encouragement. Visiting the Cheongwoon Building Cafeteria on the Seoul Campus on Wednesday, June 10, President Jinsang Kim shared: "I hope this provides a small boost to our students working hard during final exams. Eat well, stay strong, and achieve great results." Guests greeted students at the serving line, posed for pictures at a dedicated photo zone, and shared lunch together. A similar visit took place at the Global Campus Student Union Cafeteria on Thursday, June 11. Beyond offering meals, the event created a heartwarming space connecting donors directly with the student body. The university displayed banners highlighting donor names throughout the cafeterias and set up a message station next to the Donor Wall for students to leave hand-written thank-you notes. These messages of gratitude will later be presented to donors as commemorative appreciation plaques. "Learning to Pay it Forward to Future Students" Student Government President Chang-Hoon Shin (Department of Public Administration) expressed gratitude on behalf of the student body: "Thanks to these generous donations, students could enjoy a full meal for just 1,000 won. We view this as warm encouragement from our alumni and professors to stay focused on our studies, and we will remember this kindness so that we, too, can pay it forward to future generations of Kyung Hee students." Participating students shared that the meal program provided tangible relief during exam week. Woo-Chan Jung (Department of Business Administration) remarked: "The 1,000-won lunch is in high demand, so I lined up right at 11:00 AM when sales opened to catch it for the first time. It is a fantastic opportunity for students, and experiencing this kind of support really deepens my pride in and affection for the university." Freshmen also shared enthusiastic feedback. First-year students Seo-Ra Lee and Sa-Bin Jang (School of Global Eminence) noted: "Enjoying our very first 1,000-won lunch as freshmen made it particularly memorable. We had the hamburger set, and it was remarkably filling for just 1,000 won. We are deeply grateful to the donors who made this possible—it is a vital welfare program for students." Appreciation poured in from the Global Campus as well. Jun-Young Cho (Department of Mechanical Engineering) reflected: "Knowing this meal was funded by alumni caring for younger students made it feel all the more special." Chan-Young Park (Department of Convergence Bioscience and Materials) added: "The menu selection was excellent. It is a wonderful initiative that even brings in students who do not typically eat at the cafeteria, providing meaningful relief for anyone managing a tight budget." Hyun-Seok Lee (Department of Electronic Engineering) expressed his thanks, saying: "Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, I was able to enjoy a hearty, high-quality meal." The meal support event was powered by a dedicated fundraising drive aimed at securing 18 million won through 60 individual contributions of 300,000 won each. As of June 1, pledges reached 13.77 million won—achieving 76.5% of the target—with the remaining amount covered by existing student welfare donation funds. Kyung Hee plans to continue expanding donor-backed programs that deliver tangible benefits to students. Global Campus students write messages of appreciation to the donors who supported the student meal event.
2026.08.10- SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
- SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4 - Quality Education
- SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
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Research , Academics
Expanding Education from Space Science to Space Exploration
Interdisciplinary Education for an Evolving Space Era The scope of space exploration is expanding rapidly. Encompassing lunar and Martian exploration, the commercial space sector, space security, and satellite data utilization, space has grown far beyond scientific research into a vital pillar of industrial innovation and national strategy. Kyung Hee established the Space Exploration Convergence Major to respond directly to this shifting landscape. "The global space sector is undergoing a major paradigm shift from government-led initiatives to a 'New Space' era driven by private sector collaboration," explained Professor Yong-Jae Moon, Chair of the Department of Space Science. The decision to establish the program grew from a conviction that maintaining a competitive edge requires cultivating specialists who understand the full lifecycle of space exploration. "We need interdisciplinary experts capable of leading this new era and responding to both national and global demands," Professor Moon added. Space exploration is far too complex to rely on any single discipline. It demands a synthesis of scientific knowledge to understand target celestial bodies, electronic and mechanical engineering to build space platforms, and specialized capabilities in mission design and data analytics. Led by the Department of Space Science in partnership with the Departments of Electronic Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, the Space Exploration Convergence Major allows students to build on a baseline of space science while integrating engineering technologies to comprehensively design and understand space missions. Bridging Space Science and Real-World Missions The Space Exploration Convergence Major is not designed to replace traditional space science education. Instead, it leverages Kyung Hee’s established strengths in space science to expand students' capabilities in practical mission design and engineering implementation. Professor Young-Joo Song, who directs the major, highlighted the distinction between traditional space science and the new program. “While space science focuses on understanding space phenomena and environments—such as the sun, planets, space weather, astronomical observations, and space plasma—the Space Exploration Convergence Major applies this understanding directly to real-world exploration missions,” Professor Song explained. The curriculum covers setting exploration goals, designing orbits and trajectories, building spacecraft buses and payloads, conducting ground testing and operations, and analyzing scientific data. The major connects knowledge across three core fields. Space science defines the mission's direction by asking "what to explore and why." Electronic engineering implements critical spacecraft systems, including power, communications, control, sensors, onboard computers, and data processing units. Mechanical engineering addresses structural integrity and thermal control, ensuring the spacecraft can withstand launch vibration and shocks, extreme temperature fluctuations, and the harsh vacuum of space. Kyung Hee’s research achievements in space science directly enrich the curriculum. Professor Moon emphasized that the university's research base—including the development of lunar magnetic field monitors and participation in black hole imaging projects—extends into undergraduate education. The curriculum features courses directly tied to space missions, such as Space Environment I, Space Science Payload Experiments, Space Exploration Physics, and Space Exploration Mission Design. Rather than focusing solely on theory, students engage with real-world space mission data and actual payload development processes. Full-Lifecycle Education from Design to Data AnalysisThe Space Exploration Convergence Major integrates the entire lifecycle of space exploration into its curriculum. Students progress step-by-step through design, development, testing, operations, and scientific data analysis. The program aims to help students view space exploration not as a collection of isolated technologies, but as an integrated process where mission objectives define system requirements, which in turn dictate operations and subsequent data analysis. During their early years, students build a strong mathematical, physical, and engineering foundation through core courses like calculus, physics, programming, and engineering design. They then advance to specialized subjects—including Space Exploration Physics, Celestial Mechanics, Space Flight Dynamics, Satellites and Propulsion, and Space Exploration Mission Design—learning to manage the entire mission lifecycle from conceptual design and trajectory mapping to launch, orbit acquisition, maintenance maneuvers, and decommissioning. The development and testing phases are bridged through practical laboratory and design courses. Through classes such as Space Science Payload Experiments, Space Optomechanical Design and Experiments, Space Electronic Applications and Experiments, and Advanced Mechanical Engineering Experiments, students learn how spacecraft and payloads are realized as physical systems. They gain a hands-on understanding of how hardware, software, structure, electronics, thermal controls, and feedback systems integrate. Professor Song highlighted Space Exploration Mission Design and the Space Exploration Convergence Project as flagship courses. “In Space Exploration Mission Design, students study launch conditions, orbit selection based on mission goals, communication and observation coverage, visibility analysis, and the design of single-spacecraft and satellite-constellation missions,” he said. Meanwhile, in the Space Exploration Convergence Project, students use real-world data, system models, and hardware or software components to execute a project from proposal writing and analysis to design, implementation, and presentation. These courses focus on problem-solving experiences rather than passive knowledge transfer. Rather than searching for predetermined answers, students learn to define problems, evaluate constraints, and propose viable solutions. Professor Moon explained that this hands-on focus led to placing Space Exploration Convergence Project I & II and Independent Deep Learning I & II in the junior and senior years. “Through these projects, students apply their major knowledge to real-world problems and gain valuable collaborative experience,” Moon noted. Expanding Career Pathways in the Future Space IndustryThe Space Exploration Convergence Major prepares students for a wide array of career paths. Graduates can enter fields such as space mission design, satellite and spacecraft systems engineering, payload development, space environment analysis, ground station operations, and scientific data analysis. In addition to space-related research institutes and private aerospace firms, graduates can expand their careers into advanced engineering industries, including semiconductors, robotics, defense, automotive, and precision machinery. “This major is by no means limited to the space sector,” Professor Moon explained. The curriculum covers fundamental engineering topics—such as circuit theory, semiconductor engineering, robot control, antenna engineering, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, mechanics of materials, and mechanical vibrations—that are highly valued across multiple industries. The multidisciplinary mindset and system-level understanding gained through space exploration education serve as a strong competitive edge for students. Professor Song advised that curiosity and an open-minded attitude are vital for prospective students. No one is expected to excel in every area from the start. “Students need to build a foundation in physics and math, use programming as a tool, and show a willingness to learn the terminology of both electronics and mechanics,” he said. “Space exploration rarely has a single right answer.” Both professors envision the Space Exploration Convergence Major as a launchpad for students to become hands-on, multidisciplinary problem-solvers. In this program, students study space science to grasp mission objectives and space environments, while mastering electronic and mechanical engineering to build spacecraft systems and core operational hardware. Bridging these disciplines through end-to-end mission design and project-based execution defines the core trajectory of the major. Professor Song characterized the ideal graduate as "an action-oriented innovator who comprehensively understands space exploration missions, independently defines real-world challenges, and bridges diverse technical domains to engineer practical solutions" Professors Yong-Jae Moon and Young-Joo Song share their vision for the Space Exploration Convergence Major while touring the campus observatory.
2026.08.10 -
Research
Harnessing Waste Energy to Power Future Innovation
A research group led by Professor Daewon Kim of the Department of Electronic Engineering has published two consecutive studies in energy harvesting and smart healthcare. The two papers, with graduate student Jae-Kang Kim and Dr. Hyun-Woo Cho participating as first authors, were published side-by-side in the latest issue of Advanced Functional Materials (IF 19.0, JCR Top 5%), a world-renowned journal in materials science. "Since energy harvesting is a highly promising technology for the future, our goal is to move beyond proof-of-concept and drive actual commercialization," Professor Kim said. "To achieve this, I run the lab with an emphasis on cultivating responsible talent by guiding each researcher to independently complete their own projects." Converting Water Droplet Impact to Electricity The study led by student Jae-Kang Kim developed a hybrid power generation device (DTMG) that combines a triboelectric nanogenerator (DEG) and a magnetoelastic generator (MEG). Existing water-droplet-based generators had limitations: they only produced electricity at the instant of impact and their electrodes corroded easily in aquatic environments. The research group resolved the corrosion issue by using laser-patterned fluorinated graphene (FLIG) as the electrode material. They also introduced an elastic support structure (ELS) inspired by a cantilever to generate electricity continuously from the impact of water droplets. Unlike prior research focused solely on harvesting water ionic energy, this design maximizes efficiency by simultaneously harnessing both ionic and mechanical impact energy. "The process from design to fabrication was highly challenging," Jae-Kang Kim said. "Fabricating graphene through laser processing and transferring it onto the polymer substrate was particularly delicate. Optimizing the parameters took substantial time, but narrowing down the variables one by one and finally getting the desired results was immensely rewarding." The developed device functions as both a power source and a sensor. Equipped with self-powered sensing capabilities that simultaneously detect water-droplet drop height and ion concentration without external power, the device goes beyond a simple power source to serve as a water environment monitoring platform. Tests involving capacitor charging and driving small electronics confirmed its practical viability. "If we can generate electricity using the movement of water droplets, the potential applications are endless," Professor Kim explained. "Although the generated energy is still small, scaling it up to a usable level and commercializing it is the direction of our future research." Jae-Kang Kim, who first joined the lab as an undergraduate intern, added: "I became interested in the research after taking Professor Kim's class, which led me to pursue graduate studies. Water has long been studied as an energy source, but there are still many unexplored areas, which makes it highly attractive. I chose this path because successfully harvesting even small amounts of energy in a stable, usable way would enable us to perform better research than before." Jae-Kang Kim entered graduate school after serving as an undergraduate research intern. He is conducting research on water-based energy harvesting with a focus on practical commercialization. Harnessing Minute Movements of the Heart for Power Dr. Hyun-Woo Cho developed an implantable self-powered device (ACH-TENG) that converts the micro-movements of a beating heart into triboelectric energy, integrating it with an AI-based real-time arrhythmia monitoring system. Conventional implantable cardiac monitors carry a fundamental limitation: surgery is required once the battery is depleted. The research group designed a hybrid architecture merging arch and cantilever shapes, achieving up to 2.5 times higher output within the body's confined spaces, and incorporated nanospike materials to further boost electrical performance. The device's long-term stability and biocompatibility were verified through saline solution tests and in vivo experiments using pig hearts. Research in biomedical engineering is challenging due to strict ethical standards and high barriers to clinical entry. "For implantable devices, communication and collaboration with hospitals are just as critical as technical maturity," Professor Kim said. "Thanks to close collaboration with medical staff, we were able to proceed to preclinical in vivo animal testing." Dr. Cho added: "Even with excellent technology, it is meaningless without a clinical validation environment. Collaboration with the hospital was the decisive turning point for this research." The research group combined a wireless-communication-based real-time monitoring system with AI analysis algorithms to implement a platform that automatically classifies heart rate variability and instantly alerts to arrhythmic conditions. This demonstrated the feasibility of a smart medical platform that operates autonomously inside the body without a battery. "This achievement was made possible by our lab environment, which respects student autonomy and encourages us to try out ideas the moment they strike," Dr. Cho shared. Both studies were supported by the Fourth Phase of the Brain Korea 21 (BK21) Project and the Excellent Junior Researcher Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea. Dr. Hyun-Woo Cho recalled his graduate studies as "an exciting time where I could freely pursue any research I wanted."
2026.08.10- SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
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Global Eminence
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Named Laureate of the Second Miwon Peace Prize
Kyung Hee University System recognizes the Bulletin’s eight decades of translating scientific warning into public action for humanity’s shared future Award ceremony to be held on September 21, the UN International Day of Peace The Kyung Hee University System announced on Monday, June 29, 2026, that the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has been selected as the laureate of the Second Miwon Peace Prize. Founded in December 1945 by scientists and engineers who had worked on the Manhattan Project, the Bulletin emerged from an urgent conviction that the consequences of nuclear science could not remain within the scientific community alone. In the aftermath of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, its founders sought to bring the ethical responsibilities of science and technology into public debate and to connect scientists, policymakers, and citizens in the pursuit of peace and security. For more than eighty years, the Bulletin has carried that mission forward. Its Doomsday Clock, created in 1947, has become one of the world’s most widely recognized symbols of humanity’s proximity to catastrophe. By addressing nuclear danger, climate change, biological threats, and disruptive technologies, the Bulletin has done more than warn of existential risk; it has helped create a shared language through which the public and decision-makers can understand those risks—and act to reduce them. The Kyung Hee University System selected the Bulletin in recognition of this enduring contribution. Although the two institutions have followed different paths, they share a civilizational aspiration: to establish peace as a foundation for the future and to safeguard the conditions for humanity and life on Earth to flourish. Understanding Interconnection as the First Step Toward Change The Second Miwon Peace Prize Laureate Announcement Ceremony was held at the Grand Peace Hall of Kyung Hee University. The program included an introduction to the Miwon Peace Prize, a report on the selection process, the official announcement of the laureate, the Selection Committee’s grounds for recommendation, a video introducing the Bulletin, and congratulatory remarks by Chancellor Inwon Choue of the Kyung Hee University System. Chancellor Choue; Irina Bokova, Chair of the Miwon Peace Prize Selection Committee and former Director-General of UNESCO; leaders of Kyung Hee institutions; faculty; staff; and students attended the ceremony. Members of the Miwon Peace Prize Supporters Association in North America and the Kyung Hee International Foundation also joined in real time from the United States. The ceremony was more than the announcement of an award. It offered an opportunity to reflect on the values the Miwon Peace Prize seeks to advance: a critical awareness of the age, a responsibility for humanity’s shared future, and the search for a new path toward peace. In his remarks, Chancellor Choue said: The first step toward change is what the Bulletin has already told us. We must understand the reality of the present crisis within the planetary context of interconnection. We should also open a horizon of integrated thought. Such a horizon requires a philosophical framework capable of bringing these dimensions into a coherent whole. Kyung Hee’s founding philosophy sought holistic wisdom in the deep coherence between two worlds: Juri (主理), the world grounded in the timeless order of nature and cosmos, and Juui (主意), the world arising from our existential consciousness and will to action. Kyung Hee sought a living forest of wisdom. It has endeavored to illuminate, through a holistic worldview, the inseparable bond between the profound order of the natural world and the world of human consciousness and its social realities. He continued: ‘All beings and events in the world are interconnected.’ ‘Through the cosmic dynamics of mutual interaction, regulation and enhancement, all beings move through creation and dissolution toward cosmic harmony.’ ‘When humanity strives to approach the ultimate source of human consciousness and social will, it may be able to write a new history of civilization.’ These are the underlying premises of a world of holistic engagement. To search for that possibility has been Kyung Hee’s history. It is also the guiding narrative of Kyung Hee’s future. This is indeed a day of celebration. It is a great honor to announce the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists as the laureate of the Miwon Peace Prize. The Bulletin’s work resonates deeply with the philosophy and practical vision of the Kyung Hee University System. Unanimous Consensus: The Selection Committee Recommendation and Board Decision Established in 2024, the Miwon Peace Prize carries forward the peace vision and civic engagement of Dr. Miwon Young Seek Choue (1921–2012), founder of the Kyung Hee University System. Awarded biennially, it honors individuals and institutions that open new intellectual and practical horizons in an age of transformation, contribute to global peace and cosmic harmony, and offer future generations compelling examples of service to humanity and life on Earth. The nomination process for the Second Miwon Peace Prize began in September 2025. Over four months, 63 candidates were nominated by distinguished figures from academic institutions and civil society in Korea and abroad. The seven-member Selection Committee, composed of internationally recognized scholars and practitioners, held five rounds of deliberation between January and March 2026. After careful review and verification, the Committee unanimously recommended the Bulletin to the Board of Trustees of the Kyung Hee University System. The Board’s final decision in April was also unanimous. Won-soo Kim, Senior Advisor to the Miwon Peace Institute of the Kyung Hee University System and Rector of the Global Academy for Future Civilizations at Kyung Hee University, announced the laureate following his report on the selection process, saying, “The Selection Committee highly valued the Bulletin’s eighty-year legacy of advocating for peace in the language of science and enabling global citizens and leaders to face the stark reality of our existential crisis. The Miwon Peace Prize seeks to amplify the value of such practicethese efforts and expand international solidarity around it.” Speaking on behalf of the Selection Committee, Chair Bokova explained that the Committee had looked beyond conventional understandings of peace. The Committee prioritized candidates who expanded the horizon of peace beyond conventional paradigms. We examined candidates by encompassing various dimensions of human endeavor where peace is pursued, looking most importantly at whether their values and actions were consistently sustained over time. Throughout this process, we repeatedly asked ourselves one central question: “Who is fundamentally transforming humanity’s awareness of existential threats and opening a new path toward peace?” We unanimously recommended the Bulletin, which has represented universal human values with scientific rigor and demonstrated the wisdom and courage to warn humanity before crises reach an irreversible stage. The Bulletin welcomed the announcement in a statement published on its website. President and CEO Alexandra Bell said the award recognized the organization’s commitment to translating scientific knowledge into action for peace, security, and the future of humanity. “For eighty years, we have tracked, monitored, and outlined the nature of human-caused existential threats to a global audience, but that has always been just a part of our mission,” Bell said. “Fundamentally, we are focused on identifying solutions—the pragmatic and actionable steps we can all take to reduce and eventually eliminate those threats.” A Shared Awareness: Today’s Crisis Is Not a Fragmented Phenomenon The Doomsday Clock was created in 1947 as a visual metaphor for humanity’s proximity to self-destruction. Midnight represents global catastrophe; the time remaining expresses how close the world has come to that threshold. The Clock was initially focused on nuclear danger. Over time, its scope expanded to include climate change, biological threats, and disruptive technologies. In January 2026, the Bulletin’s Science and Security Board set the Clock at 85 seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been to catastrophe. Chancellor Choue described the Clock as both a measure of the present and a call to responsibility. Since 2020, the Bulletin has announced the Doomsday Clock in seconds, not minutes. This shift underscores the immediacy of our global peril. ‘Eighty-five seconds to midnight.’ The most urgent moment in the Clock’s history. It is indeed a solemn warning. It calls upon humanity to confront this grave global reality through rigorous scientific analysis. This, I believe, is where the Bulletin’s enduring contribution and historical meaning can be found. The Bulletin describes the world’s present condition as one of complex and interconnected existential risks. Chancellor Choue noted that ecological destruction, the unchecked acceleration of industrial civilization, the enduring myth of limitless growth, and entangled political, economic, and social interests now reinforce one another. “As history has shown, the politics of the world alone is not enough to address challenges of this magnitude. The proactive engagement of individual citizens and global civil society as a whole is essential,” Chancellor Choue stated. “The current crisis is not a collection of separate problems. It is an unparalleled poly-crisis. Humanity and nature, science and ethics, civilization and peace are all inextricably intertwined. A new worldview is needed.” This ethos reaches back to Kyung Hee’s founding narrative in 1949, in an age of division that soon escalated into war. Kyung Hee began with the conviction that “a new era calls for new thought and a new philosophy.” It envisioned a “cultural world” in which human beings could live with dignity and sought to explore the deeper meaning of “Freedom of Academe and Conscience.” That aspiration became the foundation of “Unfolding Cultural Worlds for Humanity.” It also found expression in two enduring convictions: “Peace is more precious than triumph” and “Love for Humans, Peace for Humanity.” Together, they reflect Kyung Hee’s belief that scholarship must not remain detached from the future of civilization, and that conscience must be translated into practical action. “We Need the Wisdom of All”: In Search of the Wisdom of Holistic Engagement The shared ground between Kyung Hee and the Bulletin becomes especially clear in an age of rapidly advancing science and technology. New technologies offer extraordinary possibilities, but their consequences depend on the values, institutions, and choices that guide them. This shared awareness did not emerge suddenly at this ceremony. Chancellor Choue has long and consistently warned of the unprecedented, interconnected civilizational crisis facing humanity. While the rapid advancement of science and technology has brought unparalleled convenience, it has also deepened an existential threat that could decide the fate of almost every being on Earth. “We now possess advanced technologies that allow us to look into the unfathomable depths of the universe, a realm our forebears could not see,” Chancellor Choue said. “The rapid progress of frontier technologies has made communication possible across the planetary community, beyond former limits of time and space.” “In particular, the dawn of quantum computing holds profound significance. This frontier technology may open a new chapter in computation by harnessing quantum states at the most fundamental levels of nature. As many have observed, these advances could set human civilization on an entirely new trajectory—one that may lie beyond our present imagination,” he continued. Chancellor Choue added, “Yet this extraordinary realm of scientific and technological possibility also has another face. Should the unprecedented advance of industrial civilization, known as the ‘Great Acceleration,’ merely reinforce the old myths of unlimited growth and expansion, humanity’s future may become even more uncertain. The present crisis moves ever closer to catastrophe with each passing second.” He then posed two critical questions: “What can we do about it? How can we use the civilizational inheritance of humanity for the common good of all beings on the planet?” “We need the wisdom of all,” he emphasized. “We must seek a wisdom that can move beyond conventional thinking and the constraints of modern society.” The Bulletin’s history demonstrates that warning can be joined with action. Its founders did not treat scientific knowledge as the exclusive domain of specialists. They understood public responsibility as part of science itself. The Bulletin’s Board of Sponsors was established in December 1948 by Albert Einstein, with J. Robert Oppenheimer as its first chair. Over the decades, more than forty Nobel laureates have served on the Board, sustaining dialogue across national, ideological, and disciplinary boundaries. The Bulletin has also served as a bridge among scientists, diplomats, security specialists, policymakers, artists, and younger generations. Its Next Generation Initiative and Arts + Science Initiative expand public participation, enabling new voices to understand existential threats, imagine alternatives, and translate knowledge into action. The Doomsday Clock itself contains a message of possibility. It began at seven minutes to midnight in 1947 and moved to two minutes in 1953 as the nuclear arms race accelerated. In 1991, following the end of the Cold War and major arms-control agreements, it moved back to seventeen minutes to midnight—the farthest from catastrophe in its history. In the video introducing the laureate, Bell emphasized that individuals are not passive observers of the Clock, saying, “The most important takeaway of the Doomsday Clock is that each individual is an agent of choice and action.” She continued, “Each of us can contribute to turning back the Clock. In the past, it was individuals—and the pressure from their groups and communities—that made it possible to move the hands back. Global citizens pushed leaders to take bolder action to reduce risks. Everything begins with understanding the threats accurately.” “Peace Is More Precious Than Triumph” The decision to announce the laureate on June 29 carries special historical significance for Kyung Hee. On that date in 1981, Dr. Young Seek Choue proposed the establishment of the United Nations International Day of Peace and International Year of Peace in his keynote address, “Peace Is More Precious Than Triumph,” delivered at the Sixth Triennial Conference of the International Association of University Presidents in Costa Rica. At a time of intensifying Cold War tensions and nuclear danger, he called for a transformation of the human mind and for a shift from an “atmosphere of war” to an “atmosphere of peace.” Later that year, the United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of Peace and invited consideration of an International Year of Peace. In 1982, the General Assembly declared 1986 the International Year of Peace. Kyung Hee’s peace legacy also received renewed recognition in the United States. On June 29, the California State Senate adopted Senate Resolution 113 by a vote of 39–0. Introduced by State Senator Steven Choi, the resolution commemorates the United Nations-designated International Day of Peace and formally recognizes Dr. Choue’s historic contribution to the initiative that led to its establishment. The Second Miwon Peace Prize award ceremony will be held on September 21, the UN International Day of Peace, as part of the 45th International Conference Commemorating the International Day of Peace and the Peace BAR Festival. The Bulletin will receive “Planet of Peace,” a sculpture by Kyung Hee alumnus Eun-sun Park, together with the World Peace Contribution Fund of US$200,000, raised by the Miwon Peace Prize Supporters Association in the United States. At a time when nuclear danger, climate disruption, and emerging technologies are converging, the selection of the Bulletin affirms a shared message: humanity’s future will depend not only on the knowledge it creates, but on the wisdom and public responsibility with which that knowledge is used.
2026.08.04 -
Research
Ushering in the Era of 'K-Human Rights'
Tracing the Shift from Norm-Taker to Norm-Maker Q. You are the first Korean to be elected Chair of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee and to concurrently head the Working Group on Communications. What are your thoughts, and what does this election mean for you personally and for South Korea? First, I am profoundly honored and feel a deep sense of responsibility to serve concurrently as the Chair of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee and the Working Group on Communications. Holding both chairmanships simultaneously is rare in the international community. The UN system stands on three pillars: peace and security, development, and human rights. These areas are represented by major organs: the Security Council, the Economic and Social Council, and the Human Rights Council. Among them, the Advisory Committee is an 18-member think tank of independent experts. It is a key body that advises the Human Rights Council by conducting studies and offering recommendations on pressing global human rights issues. The Advisory Committee researches topics mandated by Human Rights Council resolutions. These studies typically take one to two years, often longer, and provide guidelines for the UN General Assembly to draft treaties or for the Human Rights Council to establish special procedures. Human rights are not always mainstream within the UN, but having a dedicated council allows us to achieve vital progress as a think tank. As a scholar, leading a body that drives international discourse on emerging human rights agendas and seeks implementation strategies is deeply rewarding. Concurrently serving as Chair of the Working Group on Communications carries even greater weight, as its process is considered the only universal individual complaint mechanism functioning within the UN system. For the nation, this milestone is significant because it establishes a foundation for South Korea to play a leading role in human rights, extending its soft power beyond cultural domains like K-pop and K-food. For a long time, Korea was primarily a "norm-taker" complying with international rules. Now, it has made a symbolic leap toward becoming a "norm-maker" that actively shapes those rules. This marks a continuation of Korea's rising stature in human rights since joining the UN in 1991. While my work on the Advisory Committee is strictly in the capacity of an independent expert, standing on the international stage with my identity as a South Korean citizen carries great weight and I will do my utmost to fulfill these duties. Professor Buhm-Suk Baek has focused deeply on digital technologies and human rights as a rapporteur for the Advisory Committee. His election reflects his academic dedication and practical achievements in the field. Contributions to Digital Technology and Human Rights Q. You have served on the Advisory Committee since 2020 and have now been elected Chair. What specific expertise and contributions do you believe were most highly valued in this process? Since South Korea joined the UN, there are two major human rights issues that the country has proposed and successfully integrated into the formal agenda of the Human Rights Council. The first is "Local Government and Human Rights," initiated in 2013. The second is "New and Emerging Digital Technologies and Human Rights," adopted by a council resolution in 2019. Given Korea's advanced digital landscape in semiconductors and internet technology, active domestic discussions allowed us to take the lead internationally on this issue. I was appointed as the Advisory Committee's rapporteur for the digital technologies and human rights agenda and submitted a report (A/HRC/47/52) in 2021. With the rapid rise of generative AI and various digital technologies integrating into daily life, new issues emerged across the spectrum of human rights, including privacy, discrimination, freedom of expression, labor rights, and democratic governance. In 2024, I was appointed rapporteur for a study on artificial intelligence and good governance. I spent the last year and a half conducting this research and recently submitted the report, which was officially adopted by the council. I believe my academic focus on this emerging intersection of digital technology and human rights was viewed favorably. I have led rapporteur duties for over five years, spanning from when this topic first emerged in international human rights mechanisms to recent AI discussions. Additionally, my ongoing academic work in South Korea regarding victims' rights and victim-centered approaches, combined with the application of these principles in practice on the global stage, served as a key basis for the committee's evaluation. Q. The Advisory Committee serves as the think tank for the Human Rights Council. What is the key difference between a committee member and the Chair? As a regular member, one can focus primarily on assigned rapporteur duties or specific research topics, and occasionally voice opinions. In contrast, the Chair must facilitate consensus among members from diverse national and cultural backgrounds, a role requiring significant political and diplomatic tact. For example, when addressing AI and national governance, sensitive issues like "digital colonialism" elicit starkly different national viewpoints. Finding a balanced tone for the final report requires careful political consideration, and navigating these negotiations has taught me a great deal about how international organizations function. Depending on the resolution, Advisory Committee rapporteurs receive and analyze anywhere from 30 to 70 questionnaires submitted by member states, civil society, universities, and national human rights institutions. We convene expert panels and continuously revise reports; for instance, the report adopted this June underwent eight revisions. Balancing diverse national interests is critical. While international human rights law may seem idealistic, it is a demanding field driven by political power dynamics forged in conflict. The Advisory Committee plays a vital role in setting the minimum standards for human rights norms that UN member states are expected to uphold. Addressing Emerging Human Rights Issues under the Standard of Universality Q. What issues do you hope to champion during your term as Chair? The area currently occupying the center of our discussions is undoubtedly digital technology and human rights. We are actively conducting multi-layered studies on the human rights implications of digital technologies, including gender-based violence in digital spaces, the impact of disinformation and misinformation on democracy, and the challenges neurotechnology poses to cognitive liberty and mental privacy. We are also broadly addressing environmental, social, and economic rights, such as plastic pollution, climate change, and the practical implementation of social rights. The scope of the Advisory Committee's agenda has expanded to reflect contemporary demands, as human rights extend beyond traditional civil and political rights into new frontiers. As Chair, I want to ensure the Advisory Committee is not merely an academic body, but a dynamic brain trust offering actionable policy recommendations on urgent human rights crises. In the area of digital technology, my priority is leveraging our research to establish a practical, normative framework. Q. With new types of human rights challenges emerging—such as climate change and AI—how is the Advisory Committee responding? The emergence of new technologies is not entirely unprecedented; discussions on science and human rights can be traced to Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). However, modern digital technologies evolve so rapidly that they create a "normative gap" where existing laws cannot keep pace. While domestic debates are sometimes slowed by a "regulation after allowance" stance, the UN has addressed these issues in over 120 resolutions and reports since the 1990s, fostering normative convergence. In responding to these new challenges, the UN and the international community maintain the core premise that technology is never neutral. Digital technologies embed specific value judgments and power dynamics throughout their design, development, deployment, and use. Consequently, their impact on human rights cannot be dismissed as a mere accidental byproduct. The Advisory Committee operates on several key principles. First, we examine the applicability of existing international human rights standards, identifying and bridging normative gaps caused by new technologies. Second, we apply a rights-based approach while analyzing the disproportionate impact of technology on vulnerable groups. Empirical studies consistently show that marginalized populations—including women, children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, migrants, and minorities—are most exposed to the negative side effects of new technologies. Third, we emphasize a dual framework: the state's duty to protect human rights and corporations' responsibility to respect them. Human rights due diligence based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) is increasingly vital in both digital technology and climate change, which connects closely to ESG agendas. Fourth, we champion a victim-centered approach. Individuals must have access to effective remedies when rights are violated. We must recognize that the technical opacity of algorithmic decisions risks rendering the right to a remedy meaningless. At this juncture, where we face the twin forces of the climate crisis and digital transformation, the Advisory Committee seeks an integrated, intersectional approach rather than fragmented responses. This perspective is essential for the international human rights protection system to successfully meet 21st-century challenges. Kyung Hee's academic tradition of pursuing scholarship and peace aligns closely with Professor Baek's core values. He emphasized that the university's spirit—that academic pursuits must serve the public good of peace—aligns with his identity and role as an international human rights law scholar. Balancing the Advisory Committee's Academic Focus with the Working Group on Communications' Pragmatic Nature Q. You will also chair the Working Group on Communications. What kind of synergy do you expect between these two positions? Another core role of the Advisory Committee is reviewing individual communications concerning gross and reliably attested human rights violations. The Human Rights Council complaint procedure is effectively the only universal mechanism that allows any citizen in the world to appeal directly to the UN. We receive over 15,000 complaints annually. We filter out duplicates or cases under other jurisdictions, thoroughly reviewing the remaining cases under the principles of subsidiarity and confidentiality. The Working Group on Communications serves as the initial gatekeeper to determine the admissibility of these complaints. This task is highly demanding and sensitive, as it goes beyond resolving individual incidents to determine whether a systematic pattern of gross violations exists in a state. When gravity is established, it often prompts Human Rights Council resolutions to appoint country-specific special rapporteurs—such as the Special Rapporteur on North Korean Human Rights—or establish new special procedures. Given the geopolitical stakes, debates within the working group can be intense. As a researcher, I have long studied victims' rights and victim-centered frameworks, tracking the development of protective norms in international criminal law and transitional justice. This academic background helps me look beyond narrow legal and procedural boundaries to hear the voices and appeals of complainants—the often-unheard victims of human rights abuses—within their broader contexts. If the Advisory Committee is a forum for conceptual and normative academic dialogue, the Working Group on Communications is a venue for intense political and practical negotiations. Serving as Chair of both allows me to balance procedural efficiency with victim protection, creating a powerful synergy that organically links the dual pillars of human rights research and remedy within the UN mechanism. Q. "Universality" seems to be a crucial standard in your work. How do you maintain this standard in practice? When working on the international human rights stage, it is crucial to remain unconstrained by domestic political frames like progressive or conservative to maintain universality. Over the past two decades, I have addressed a broad spectrum of issues, from comfort women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military to North Korean human rights. While these issues are sometimes viewed through politicized lenses at home, focusing single-mindedly on victim protection allows me to uphold universal standards. The essence of human rights is giving voice to those who have been marginalized and silenced. To be sure, navigating trade-offs between competing rights and identifying the fine line between justifiable restrictions and violations remains a persistent challenge. For instance, while freedom of expression is a fundamental right, it can be restricted to maintain public order—though states often use this justification to infringe upon rights excessively. Recently, the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights cautioned against "memory laws" that criminalize historical distortion, suggesting that states should be careful not to mandate a single historical narrative. Yet, the demand to counter historical distortion is also difficult to ignore. Deciding the scope of criminal punishment requires balancing free expression with historical truth, a boundary that is academically and legally delicate to draw. Embracing Kyung Hee's Academic Tradition and Historical Legacy Q. What is currently the most hotly debated topic within the Advisory Committee? Without a doubt, it is neurotechnology and human rights. As neural engineering—which can read brain signals or directly stimulate neural pathways—merges with AI, it is already being used in applications like regulating suicidal thoughts in patients with depression. This technology touches on the core of cognitive freedom and the absolute right to freedom of conscience and thought. While neurotechnology has positive therapeutic goals, it carries a high risk of "dual-use" abuse, such as in criminal investigations or coerced confessions. This is no longer science fiction. Redefining and regulating the boundaries of these absolute rights is currently the subject of our most intense debates. Q. How has Kyung Hee's core value of "Scholarship and Peace" influenced your international human rights work? Kyung Hee's long-cherished value of "Scholarship and Peace" resonates deeply with the academic stance I maintain in international human rights. Human rights research is not driven by academic curiosity alone; it is rooted in a profound respect for human dignity and a practical commitment to building peaceful communities. Moreover, Kyung Hee's philosophy—that scholarship should not exist for its own sake but must serve the public good of peace—aligns perfectly with my approach as a scholar of international human rights law. Academically identifying the structural causes of human rights violations lays the foundation for peace building. These two values support each other: a peaceful international order is impossible without the universal realization of human rights. The university's historical legacy—from its founder to its leadership in establishing the UN International Day of Peace—is a source of immense pride as I work on the international stage. The support of university members, including the Global Academy for Future Civilizations, and an educational philosophy highlighting our responsibility to global society provide vital encouragement for balancing research, teaching, and international duties. I will continue to do my best to promote human rights domestically and globally in alignment with the university's ideals. Q. How do you hope to share your international experience with students, and what advice would you offer to those aspiring to enter this field of work? If the practical experience gained at international organizations is not brought back to the classroom, its value is halved. Over the past few years, we have run internship programs through the Global Academy for Future Civilizations to give undergraduates hands-on experience in international affairs. Giving students even a single week to absorb the atmosphere of these institutions generates a far more powerful learning effect than a semester of lectures. I hope to open introductory courses in international human rights law across various programs to provide interested students with intensive learning opportunities. Concurrently, I plan to establish pathways for graduate students to participate directly in research projects for international organizations, bridging theory and practice. There is a distinct thrill in witnessing a single sentence, carefully drafted by a scholar, shape international standards and alter government policies. This tangible impact shows how academic research can directly protect human rights in the real world, a lesson I am eager to share with my students. For students dreaming of the international stage, several qualities are essential. First is deep expertise. International organizations do not seek generalists; they look for talent with specialized, indispensable knowledge in a particular field. Second is language proficiency. Foreign languages are tools, not ends. Mastering at least one other UN official language beside English, such as French or Spanish, is a major asset. Third is intercultural sensitivity. International organizations are diverse environments, and the ability to communicate and build consensus with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds is a core professional competency. Structural changes in international human rights do not manifest overnight; patience and the ability to maintain a long-term perspective are vital. Furthermore, one must balance academic rigor with practical awareness. Human rights are not abstract concepts but issues affecting concrete human lives; research that fails to listen to the voices of those who have experienced violations is hollow. Finally, sincerity is paramount. Entering an international organization should not be the ultimate goal. I hope students remember that it is simply a pathway toward the fundamental values of promoting human rights and building peace.
2026.08.03- SDG 1 - No Poverty
- SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 13 - Climate Action
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Research , Global Eminence
A Journey of Academic Excellence and Peace
The "Kyung Hee Scholars Forum" was held at Grand Peace Hall on Thursday, June 18. The Kyung Hee Scholars Forum (Part 1) brings together HCRs, Kyung Hee Fellows (Research), and the World’s Top 2% Researchers Sharing the journeys of prominent faculty members and formulating tailored research strategies "Granting autonomy and resources to outstanding researchers, offering rewards for performance and recognition for excellence" Editor’s Note: On Thursday, June 18, the "Kyung Hee Scholars Forum" was held at Grand Peace Hall under the theme "A Journey of Academic Excellence and Peace: Celebrating the Achievements of 2025." The forum was organized to celebrate the university's record-breaking research achievements of the past year and to discuss Kyung Hee's mid-to-long-term research strategies. This article covers the highlights from Part 1 of this two-part event. Kyung Hee Produces Record Number of HCRs and World's Top 2% Researchers The year 2025 marked a major milestone for research at Kyung Hee University. Four faculty members—Professors Chulmo Koo and Namho Chung (School of Smart Tourism), Professor Jin-Woo Bae (Department of Biology), and Kohwang Distinguished Professor Choong Seon Hong (Department of Computer Science and Engineering)—were named Highly Cited Researchers (HCR) by Clarivate. The annual HCR list recognizes researchers whose publication citations rank in the top 1% of their field globally, based on Web of Science data. In 2025, only 6,868 researchers from 1,300 institutions across 60 countries received this distinction—representing roughly one in a thousand scholars worldwide. With these four designees, Kyung Hee ranked third among South Korean comprehensive private universities and led the nation in social sciences HCRs. In addition, a record number of faculty members were named to the world's top 2% researchers list compiled by Stanford University and Elsevier: 62 based on career-long metrics and 120 based on single-year impact—the university's largest cohort to date. To foster research excellence and honor outstanding scholarly contributions, Kyung Hee annually names top research faculty as "Kyung Hee Fellows (Research)." For the 2025 academic year, six faculty members received this honor: Professor Myoung Sook Oh of the Department of Oriental Pharmaceutical Science, Professor Jun Tae Kim of the Department of Food and Nutrition, Professor Dong Keon Yon of the School of Medicine, Professor Inhan Kim of the Department of Architecture, Professor Kwang Pyo Kim of the Department of Applied Chemistry, and Professor Young Sun Kim of the Department of Gerontology. The Scholars Forum provided a platform for these HCRs, Kyung Hee Fellows, and top-tier researchers to reflect on their academic journeys and exchange insights on current research challenges. President Jinsang Kim expressed his respect and gratitude to the scholars who brought honor to Kyung Hee, stating, "We will refine our policies and culture to ensure our outstanding faculty can immerse themselves fully in their research." Introducing Kyung Hee's Unique 'Global Niche Top' Strategy Part 1 of the Scholars Forum opened with a welcoming address by President Jinsang Kim, followed by presentations titled "The Journey to Becoming a World-Class Scholar" and "Global Research Trends and Recommendations for Future Inquiry." The session concluded with the presentation of the Kyung Hee Scholars and Outstanding Researcher Awards. Emphasizing the forum's broader purpose, President Kim noted, "This gathering is not simply to celebrate research outputs, but to measure the heights of Kyung Hee's academic future and express our profound respect for the scholars leading the way." Choosing to highlight the resilience and perseverance required in research rather than focusing solely on record-breaking outcomes, President Jinsang Kim pledged administrative reforms to help top scholars focus entirely on their work. Systemic processes and institutional culture are being redesigned to alleviate administrative burdens. "We will grant outstanding researchers the autonomy and resources they need, offering fair rewards for performance and bold recognition for excellence," President Kim emphasized. "A university's standing is not built on empty declarations. Reputation is not a goal in itself, but the natural byproduct of an unyielding commitment to educational and research excellence." He also outlined a vision that looks beyond quantitative rankings: a targeted "Global Niche Top" strategy designed to secure world-leading positioning in specialized fields. Rather than merely increasing volume, Kyung Hee seeks to maximize its research impact and deepen its leadership within international collaborative networks. "By building a virtuous cycle between education and research, we will forge ahead as an institution dedicated to shaping a better future for humanity," President Kim concluded. Professor Namho Chung of the School of Smart Tourism and Director Hyunju Jang of Elsevier deliver their presentations. Professor Chung reflected on his path to becoming a world-class scholar, while Director Jang offered recommendations for future research. An Environment That Nurtures World-Class ScholarsProfessor Namho Chung of the School of Smart Tourism shared his path to HCR status in a keynote titled "The Journey to Becoming a World-Class Scholar: Environment, Platform, and Colleagues." Addressing the vital role of academic surroundings, Professor Chung observed, "Just as a fish grows to different sizes depending on its habitat, outstanding researchers are not born—they are nurtured by their environment." He cited Kyung Hee’s research culture—marked by mutual respect for scholarly pursuits, reliable internal grants, and abundant opportunities for international collaboration—as the catalyst for his recognition. Professor Chung also detailed the evolution of his team's research platform. Beginning with the establishment of the Smart Tourism Research Center (STRC) in 2013, his team built a strong academic foundation over a decade through the Social Sciences Korea (SSK) initiative supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea. Later, through the Brain Korea 21 (BK21) Phase 4 project, the STRC expanded into a thriving research ecosystem supporting more than 20 research professors. The center subsequently launched the Journal of Smart Tourism, an international journal which achieved Scopus indexing in 2026. Emphasizing the power of scholarly collaboration, Professor Chung concluded: "Sustaining this momentum would have been impossible without Professor Chulmo Koo—a fellow HCR with whom I co-founded the School of Smart Tourism and the Korea Smart Tourism Association—along with the research professors who advanced into faculty roles worldwide through our BK21 program." Recalling how senior colleagues generously shared successful grant proposals when the STRC was first launched, he noted, "Being named an HCR is not an individual triumph; it is a milestone co-created by our entire university community." "Fusing Kyung Hee’s Unique Research Assets to Drive New Academic Agendas"The forum also turned its attention to global research trends and strategic directions for future inquiry. Analyzing how the research landscape is shifting in the AI era, Elsevier Director Hyunju Jang proposed a strategic framework leveraging Kyung Hee's core strengths. She highlighted how the rapid expansion of generative AI is transforming scientific methodology: by 2024, 84% of researchers were utilizing AI tools in their work, while the use of Large Language Models (LLMs) in manuscript preparation doubled from 30% in 2023 to 60% in 2024. "The question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to harness it effectively," Director Jang emphasized. Drawing on Elsevier’s topic cluster technology, Director Jang shared a global research momentum analysis that identified eight high-impact fields from among 1,500 global clusters: AI and deep learning, energy transition materials, environment and sustainability, bio and precision medicine, smart systems, digital mental health, AI-driven educational innovation, and management and social transition. The findings demonstrate that interdisciplinary convergence—bridging the sciences, social sciences, and humanities—is the cornerstone of future research competitiveness. Outlining a strategy tailored to Kyung Hee's distinct capabilities, she concluded, "Complex global issues like climate change and demographic shifts cannot be solved by a single discipline. By reinterpreting the strengths of a comprehensive university through a global lens, Kyung Hee can carve out pioneering research domains and build an unmistakable institutional brand." Commemorative plaques were presented to faculty members named as HCRs and Kyung Hee Fellows (Research). The plaques feature the Kyung Hee Person Statue, symbolizing the progressive spirit and cooperative drive of the university’s community. Research Support Policies Pave the Way for SuccessFaculty named as HCRs and Kyung Hee Fellows (Research) were presented with plaques featuring the "Kyung Hee Person Statue" (familiarly known as the Eight Fairies Statue). Erected in 1969 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the university's founding, the sculpture depicts figures from traditional lore whose flight across the sky symbolizes the progressive spirit and upward strides of Kyung Hee’s community, while their unified formation reflects a shared commitment to cooperation and solidarity. Following the presentation of awards, Kohwang Distinguished Professor Choong Seon Hong delivered remarks on behalf of the HCR recipients, while Professor Young Sun Kim spoke on behalf of the Kyung Hee Fellows (Research). "It is a profound honor to fulfill my long-held dream of becoming an HCR in the very year of my retirement," Professor Hong shared. He emphasized that Kyung Hee's institutional support provided the essential foundation for his achievement: "Thanks to the university's international student scholarship program, domestic and international students worked seamlessly together in my lab, fostering a global perspective. Furthermore, the ES/IS program sparked new research directions and laid the groundwork for international collaboration." Professor Choong Seon Hong has published more than 300 papers in premier international journals across the fields of wireless network resource management and machine learning. In 2024, he was elected an IEEE Fellow—one of the highest honors in electrical, computer, and communications engineering—and received the Grand Award at the Undang Academic Awards, the top honor in South Korea's ICT sector. He is currently pioneering research in AI agents and network-specific world models. Professor Young Sun Kim is an academic pioneer who opened new ground in the emerging field of AgeTech. Anticipating demographic shifts long before aging became a central global issue, she dedicated her career to senior-focused technology. "A field that was largely obscure a decade ago has now become a major domain highlighted by global corporations," Professor Kim noted. "We are also witnessing the field mature academically, as specialized research centers are being established worldwide." Professor Kim's strategic foresight and a decade of groundwork culminated in major milestones during the interim evaluation of the BK21 Phase 4 project, where the AgeTech Research Group was recognized as an outstanding education and research team and awarded the AX Sprint project. Expressing appreciation for the university's enduring trust, she concluded: "We achieved this success because Kyung Hee believed in our center's vision. In response to that trust, I will do my utmost to position Kyung Hee as a global leader in senior-specific physical AI."
2026.08.03