Campus/People
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MICCAI 2025 Eve KAIST Day Successfully Held
< Scene of the KAIST Day Symposium Lectures >
KAIST announced on the September 23rd that the 'KAIST Day' special symposium, held on the eve of 'MICCAI 2025' at the Jeong Geun-mo Conference Hall of the KAIST Academic and Cultural Center on September 22, was successfully held with the attendance of more than 30 overseas scholars and 200 domestic researchers and students.
This event was a special program prepared to commemorate the hosting of MICCAI 2025 (The 28th International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, Conference Chair: Professor Jina Park of KAIST School of Computing), the world's largest medical imaging conference. It was sponsored by the KAIST College of Engineering and Daejeon City, and was held under the theme of "From Insight to Intervention: Intelligent Imaging in Biomedicine."
KAIST and world-class scholars gathered to share the latest research results combining medical imaging and artificial intelligence, and to have an in-depth discussion on the future direction of next-generation medical technology, encompassing diagnosis and treatment.
Seven world-renowned scholars from the Americas, Europe, and Asia introduced their latest research, and about 30 overseas scholars toured KAIST's advanced medical imaging infrastructure and sought possibilities for collaboration by interacting with domestic researchers. In addition, attending domestic researchers and students had the opportunity for collaboration and international joint research through a networking session.
< A group photo from KAIST Day with President Kwang Hyung Lee and Conference Chair Jina Park >
This event provided an opportunity for domestic researchers to meet world-class scholars ahead of the opening of MICCAI 2025 and served as a starting point and symbolic place for KAIST and Daejeon City to foster Korea as a global hub for medical AI research. The event was planned and moderated by Professor Seungryong Cho and Associate Vice President Hyunju Lee, and was composed of four sessions. First, Professor Hyunwook Park introduced the history and development of medical imaging research at KAIST. Following this, in the "AI for Diagnosis & Disease Understanding" session, Professors Anne Martel, Kenji Suzuki, Hayit Greenspan, and Dimitris Metaxas presented their latest research on AI-based medical imaging, including cancer diagnosis, early detection, rare disease analysis, and multi-modal fusion.
In the next "Imaging Intelligence for Intervention" session, Professors Nasir Navab, Yongkwan Park, James Ji, Leo Joskowicz, and Hyunmin Bae shared clinical application cases such as AR/VR surgical assistance, ultra-high-resolution imaging, atlas-based analysis, surgical planning support, and personalized treatment with neuroimaging.
Each presentation demonstrated the possibilities of future medical imaging expanding beyond diagnosis to treatment and personalized medicine, and active exchanges continued through discussions and Q&A. After the lectures, overseas researchers toured KAIST's advanced infrastructure and conducted in-depth discussions with domestic researchers.
In addition, with the support of NVIDIA, the "NVIDIA Isaac for Healthcare Hands-on Lab" was held, allowing researchers and students to directly experience the latest AI medical platform.
< Invited speakers and attendees of the symposium >
Professor Jina Park of the KAIST School of Computing and Conference Chair of MICCAI 2025 said, "MICCAI is the world's top-level medical AI conference with a focus on clinical application. We organized this event to introduce KAIST's challenging research to the international community and to create new synergy through academic exchange. We expect MICCAI 2025, which will be held from the 23rd to the 27th at the Daejeon Convention Center, to become a representative international academic event for Daejeon, with more than 3,200 people registered."
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee said, "The hosting of MICCAI 2025 is an achievement that shows the international status of Korean science and technology. In particular, this pre-conference symposium held at KAIST was a meaningful event where world-class scholars gathered to discuss the future of medical imaging and AI, and it was an opportunity to once again confirm KAIST's status. KAIST will continue to take the lead in research and education that contributes to the promotion of human health by expanding global cooperation."
※ MICCAI 2025 Website: https://conferences.miccai.org/2025/en/
2025.09.23 View 676 -
The Secret of Our Success Author Joseph Henrich to Deliver Special Lecture at KAIST
KAIST announced on the 19th that its Institute for Mind and Brain Sciences and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Science will be hosting a special lecture by world-renowned cultural evolution scholar, Professor Joseph Henrich of Harvard University. The free lecture will take place on the 22nd at the Conference Room on the 1st floor of the Meta-Convergence Hall at the KAIST main campus, with support from the Gikwan Foundation. The event is open to the public.
Professor Henrich, a professor in the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard, is a leading authority on the evolution of culture and cooperation. He was recognized for his work on the origins of human cooperative behavior through a comparative study of 15 small-scale societies, earning the 2024 Panmure House Prize* (Adam Smith 300th Anniversary Prize) and the 2022 Hayek Book Prize.
* Panmure House Prize: An academic award established in honor of Adam Smith's scholarship, named after the building where he lived.
< Poster for Special Lecture by Professor Joseph Henrich of Harvard University >
His representative books, "The WEIRDest People in the World" and "The Secret of Our Success," have created a significant stir in both academia and the general public by offering new interpretations of the formation and development of human society from a cultural evolution perspective.
"The WEIRDest People in the World" emphasizes that human thought and behavior are products of specific cultural environments rather than universal truths. "The Secret of Our Success" presents a new perspective on how humanity, through cultural artifacts like language, tools, and institutions, has achieved unique success compared to other animals.
The lecture will be divided into two sessions: an academic seminar and a public lecture. The academic seminar, held from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, will be conducted in English on the topic of "Cultural Evolutionary Psychology, Kinship, and the Historical Origins of Modern Psychological Differences." It is intended for researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students in related fields.
Following this, a public lecture will be held from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the topic of "The Collective Brain: Social and Cultural Origins of Creativity." Professor Jeong Jae-seung of KAIST's Department of Brain and Cognitive Science will serve as the moderator, and simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
The lecture will cover how innovation and creativity are products of a collective intelligence formed by diverse people exchanging ideas through networks. It will also discuss how the pace of innovation within a population is determined by key factors such as community size, social connectivity, and cognitive diversity, and how these principles explain innovation in various social contexts, including cultural psychology, immigration, urbanization, and institutions. There will also be a Q&A session with the author of "The Secret of Our Success."
Regarding the lecture, Professor Henrich stated, "In human evolution, culture is not just a backdrop; it's the core driving force that makes us human. Through this lecture, I want to share how we have learned from each other, cooperated, and developed knowledge and institutions. I especially look forward to having a deep conversation with the audience about the evolutionary significance of the passion for education and learning culture in Korean society."
Professor Jeong Jae-seung of KAIST's Department of Brain and Cognitive Science said, "This lecture was organized to explore how the human mind and brain have evolved through interaction with culture. It will be a valuable opportunity to hear the insights of a world-renowned scholar from the interdisciplinary perspective of meditation science and brain and cognitive science."
To register for the event, you can use the link (https://forms.gle/7TW9FAKv1qgA3dBBA) or the QR code on the poster. For inquiries, please contact the KAIST Institute for Mind and Brain Sciences at 042-350-1361.
2025.09.19 View 469 -
KAIST Presents Cine Forest: Awakening Bloom at the 2025 Seongnam Festival
< Professor Jinjoon Lee, of the Graduate School of Culture Technology>
KAIST Presents “Cine Forest: Awakening Bloom” at the 2025 Seongnam Festival
— A world-first large-scale forest media art performance combining cutting-edge technology, an orchestra, a citizen choir, and AI —
Daejeon, Republic of Korea, September 18, 2025 — KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced that Professor Jinjoon Lee, of the Graduate School of Culture Technology and Director of the Art & Technology Center, will direct a groundbreaking media art performance titled Cine Forest: Awakening Bloom. The production, co-organized with the Seongnam Cultural Foundation, will be staged September 19–21, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. each evening at Bundang Central Park Outdoor Theater as part of 2025 Seongnam Festival.
Transforming the autumn night forest into a massive “open theater,” the performance will feature the world’s first 200-meter projection mapping on a forest environment. This immersive production merges city and nature, technology and humanity, offering audiences an unprecedented multi-sensory journey.
A Tale of Hope and Imagination
The performance draws inspiration from the fairy tale The Giant Who Became a Star, in which a giant shares starlight with the people of a darkened city before ultimately becoming a star himself. This poetic narrative reflects on the innocence and hope that modern society has lost.
Advanced Technology Meets Human Creativity
The large-scale show employs 16 ultra-high-resolution projectors (40,000 -45,000 ANSI lumens), laser systems, smoke effects, and advanced 3D Gaussian splatting technology to digitally reconstruct the forest. Additional innovations include AI-generated voice synthesis, VR-based simulations, and immersive spatial sound design.
Community participation is also central to the performance: a 70-piece orchestra, a 1,000-member citizen choir, AI agents, and iconic film soundtracks will blend with natural sounds collected from the forest—such as wind, water, and insects—creating a truly immersive soundscape.
A Director’s Vision
Professor Lee emphasized: “This performance goes beyond media art. It is about creating a liminal experience where nature and city, technology and humanity organically coexist. We hope audiences will experience a living landscape painting, where every breath and step becomes part of the narrative.”
Event Details
Event: 2025 Seongnam Festival
Title: Cine Forest: Awakening Bloom
Dates: September 19 (Fri) – 21 (Sun), 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Bundang Central Park Outdoor Theater, Seongnam
Artistic Director: Prof. Jinjoon Lee (Graduate School of Culture Technology, KAIST; Director, Art & Technology Center)
Organizers: Seongnam City
Co-Organizers: Seongnam Cultural Foundation, Korea Media Symphony, KAIST A
Art & Technology Center
2025.09.18 View 350 -
KAIST Seoul Campus Dormitory Remodeling Completed, Improving Student Housing
< President Kwang Hyung Lee, Booyoung Group Chairman Joong Keun Lee, and executives >
KAIST held a completion and donation ceremony for the newly remodeled Pajeongsa and Sojeongsa dormitories at the Seoul Campus on the 18th. The event was attended by key figures including President Kwang Hyung Lee, Booyoung Group Chairman Joong Keun Lee, and students.
Booyoung Group is a company that has consistently engaged in various social contribution activities, including housing rental, construction, and support for education and culture. With a deep interest in the field of education, the company is taking the lead in improving student welfare by enhancing university dormitory environments.
This remodeling project was carried out as part of a KRW 20 billion donation agreement signed by Booyoung Group last year to create a safe and comfortable learning environment for KAIST students.
< President Kwang Hyung Lee, Booyoung Group Chairman Joong Keun Lee, and executives >
This remodeling project is being conducted on a total of four dormitory buildings across the Daejeon and Seoul campuses. Three of these buildings, including Pajeongsa and Sojeongsa, have been completed, providing students with newly improved living spaces. The remaining one building is also expected to be completed soon.
Through this remodeling, the aging facilities of Pajeongsa and Sojeongsa on the Seoul Campus have been upgraded, including exterior construction and overall mechanical and electrical systems. The two buildings will be named "Ujeong Pajeongsa" and "Ujeong Sojeongsa," taking their names from the donor's pen name.
< Group photo of attendees at the Seoul Campus dormitory remodeling completion ceremony >
Chairman Joong Keun Lee said, "The dormitory remodeling project, which began with the hope that Korea's scientific talents would be able to devote themselves to their studies and research in a more stable home, has now come to fruition. I hope this will serve as the foundation for KAIST to develop into a world-class university for science and technology innovation." At the completion ceremony, President Kwang Hyung Lee said, "I am very happy to be able to introduce these buildings, which have been reborn through the chairman's donation. KAIST will engrave the chairman's great will in our hearts and dedicate ourselves to nurturing the world's best talent."
2025.09.18 View 530 -
POSTECH KAIST 22nd Student Festival in KAIST... Korea's Top Engineering Schools are Alive!"
<The 22nd POSTECH-KAIST Student Festival Poster>
The annual rivalry match between Korea's leading engineering universities, KAIST and POSTECH, will be held for the 22nd time on September 19th and 20th at the KAIST campus, the university announced on September 18th.
The POSTECH-KAIST Student Festival, also known as "Pokajeon," began in 2002 to promote exchange between the two schools. This year's event features a variety of programs, including science and athletic competitions, performances, and broadcasts.
Held every September, Pokajeon alternates between Daejeon (KAIST's location) and Pohang (POSTECH's location). This year it's being called "Pokajeon" because POSTECH is the visiting team, and the custom is to put the visiting team's name first. The event is also known as the "Science War," a fitting nickname for a competition featuring the nation's top engineering students.
This year's Pokajeon will feature seven events: three science competitions (Hacking, AI Contest, Science Quiz) and four athletic events (Baseball, Soccer, Basketball, and E-sports).
<Cheering Scene for the 2023 Basketball Game>
The science competitions are unique and a highlight of the festival. The hacking competition kicks off on the first day at 2 p.m. and continues for 12 hours until 2 a.m. the next morning. In this contest, participants earn points by solving information security problems, including cryptography. All team members must participate in rotation, and using generative AI tools is allowed. A live broadcast will show real-time scores and solution processes, giving spectators a sense of the excitement.
The AI contest will take place on the same day at 5 p.m. at the Daejeon e-Sports Stadium. Based on the car-soccer game "Rocket League," the competition features AI programs created by the students themselves. The AI programs will control the cars to score goals. Matches are a best-of-five series, with each set lasting five minutes.
The Science Quiz will be held on the second day at the Ryu Geun-chul Sports Complex. Participants will solve problems on scientific knowledge and current research trends while also playing a modified version of the strategic card game "Battle Line." They must use strategy cards and soldier cards to secure flags. This event tests not just knowledge but also strategic thinking and teamwork.
<2024 Science Quiz>
The athletic events combine traditional sports with e-sports. Baseball, soccer, and basketball games will be played on the KAIST campus fields, while the e-sports event ("League of Legends") will be a best-of-three series. Each game will have on-site events to boost participation and excitement for students and spectators alike.
The university that wins at least four of the seven events will be the overall champion. KAIST currently holds a 12-8 record, having won the last three consecutive years.
"I hope this year's Pokajeon fosters a sense of belonging and pride in the students of both universities through healthy competition, and that it becomes an opportunity to create cherished memories for engineering students," said Oh Sang-jun, head of the Pokajeon planning committee (KAIST, Aerospace Engineering, class of '23).
KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung added, "Pokajeon is a special festival where KAIST and POSTECH students connect through science and sports. I hope they feel pride as key players representing the future of Korean engineering and work together to open up the future of science and technology."
2025.09.18 View 498 -
A Boom in Robot Startups: Global Ventures from the Legacy of HUBO's Creator
KAIST announced on September 16 that it is gaining attention as a "cradle of Korean robotics" as various robot startups founded on campus have recently succeeded in attracting investment.
Rainbow Robotics, founded by Professor Jun-Ho Oh of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, set a new milestone in the robotics industry by successfully going public with its world-class humanoid technology. Following this, Angel Robotics, a company specializing in rehabilitation and medical robots founded by Professor Kyung-chul Kong of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, also went public, making the achievements of KAIST-born robot startups more visible.
Following in their footsteps, a number of other startups are on a rapid growth trajectory after their founding in various technological fields, including quadrupedal, collaborative, and wearable robots, as well as autonomous walking. These include Pureun Robotics (2021, Hyunchul Ham, MS from Mechanical Engineering), Wero Robotics (2021, Yeonbaek Lee, MS from Mechanical Engineering), Raion Robotics (2023, Professor Jaemin Hwangbo, Mechanical Engineering), Triangle Robotics (2023, Jinhyuk Choi, PhD candidate in Computer Science), URobotics (2024, Byungho Yoo, PhD from Electrical Engineering), and Diden Robotics (2024, Junha Kim, PhD from Mechanical Engineering).
In particular, Raion Robotics, founded by Professor Jaemin Hwangbo of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, recently secured a Series A investment of 23 billion KRW from leading domestic investors, including SBVA, Company K Partners, FuturePlay, KDB Capital, IBK, and IBK Venture Capital.
< (Left) Raibo1, (Right) Raibo2 participating in a marathon >
Raion Robotics' flagship product, the quadrupedal robot 'Raibo,' is equipped with reinforcement learning-based AI, enabling stable walking on uneven terrain. It also boasts a distinctive performance with an 8-hour operating time. Recently, it successfully completed a full marathon (42.195 km) alongside a human, proving its durability in real-world conditions and attracting attention from the global robotics industry.
This trend is also evident in URobotics, a startup from Professor Hyun Myung's lab in the Department of Electrical Engineering. URobotics recently secured a 3.5 billion KRW seed investment and was selected for the 1.5 billion KRW Deep Tech TIPS program, accelerating its growth in the field of autonomous walking robots. The company is preparing to apply its technology to various industrial sites, including defense, construction, logistics, and smart cities, by internalizing its control and autonomous walking technologies and applying them to humanoids. The industry is already taking note of its high growth potential from the early stages.
< (Left) URobotics' general-purpose autonomous walking solution being tested on a quadrupedal robot, (Right) Developing core spatial intelligence technology >
< URobotics' autonomous walking solution >
Diden Robotics, a startup from Professor Haewon Park's lab in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, is leading the industrial application and commercialization of walking mobile robot technology. The company's key competitive advantages lie in its hardware design capabilities through the internalization of core components, advanced Physical AI technology based on reinforcement learning, and a special magnetic foot technology. Robots developed with this technology can move freely on vertical steel walls and ceilings to perform high-difficulty tasks like welding and non-destructive testing. Based on this technology, Diden Robotics attracted a 7 billion KRW investment in a Pre-A round and has signed supply contracts with major shipyards, proving its commercial viability.
< (Left) Diden Robotics' mobile robot DIDEN30 for shipbuilding sites (Right) Various work scenarios inside a ship block >
KAIST recently secured 10.5 billion KRW in government funding by participating as the lead institution in the Deep Tech Scale-up Valley project. With this funding, it plans to create a virtuous cycle among companies, technology, and talent in the robotics industry and emerge as a next-generation robotics hub. URobotics and Angel Robotics are also participating in this project.
Bae Hyun-min, head of the Startup Center, said, "Researchers from KAIST are entering the global stage through challenging startups. The Startup Center will actively support them to help KAIST establish itself as a 'hub for deep tech startups'."
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee emphasized, "KAIST is a cradle of innovation that creates social value through startups, beyond education and research. The achievements of these robot startups show that KAIST is at the center of leading the paradigm of the global robotics industry. This also aligns with KAIST's vision of preparing for the era of 'Physical AI,' which fuses artificial intelligence with the physical world. KAIST will continue to strengthen its global technological leadership through innovation that connects academia and industry.
2025.09.16 View 1349 -
Professor Jinsoo Kim Donates 3.4 Billion Won in Stocks to Pioneer Solutions for Climate and Food Crises through Gene Editing
< (From left) Daesoo Kim, Dean of College of Life Sciences and BioEngineering / Kyunmin Lee, Vice President for Academic Affairs/ Professor Jinsoo Kim/ Kwang Hyung Lee, President / Sang Yup Lee, Vice President for Research>
KAIST announced that Professor Jinsoo Kim of the Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering has donated 85,000 shares of ToolGen Inc. stock to help overcome climate disasters and agricultural crises. The shares are valued at approximately 3.438 billion won as of September 15, and KAIST plans to use them to actively promote innovative research in the fields of agriculture and life sciences.
The donation will be used to establish the "Center for Plant-based Carbon Capture," which is scheduled to be founded in the second half of this year. Based on this, KAIST aims to contribute to a sustainable future by fully embarking on research to address climate change and global food security issues.
The research center will focus on developing technologies that maximize the photosynthetic efficiency of plants and microalgae. The goal is to contribute to carbon neutrality by increasing the absorption rate of atmospheric carbon dioxide, while also significantly improving food productivity to enhance food security.
The core technology is the "direct editing technology for organelle DNA (chloroplasts and mitochondria)," which Professor Kim developed for the first time in the world. Chloroplasts, which perform photosynthesis using sunlight, and mitochondria, which act as the cell's energy powerhouse, have their own DNA that could not be edited with existing CRISPR technology. This new technology can precisely edit even this DNA, and it can also be used in the future for research and treatment of intractable genetic diseases.
Furthermore, because the crops developed with this technology involve direct editing of the DNA already present in the plant rather than inserting foreign genes, they are not considered GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms). They are recognized as "Non-GMOs" in countries like the United States and Japan. This lowers regulatory barriers and increases consumer acceptance, greatly expanding the potential for commercialization and market entry.
With the establishment of this research center, KAIST anticipates various achievements, including overcoming the food crisis amid climate change, a revolutionary increase in agricultural productivity, the presentation of sustainable carbon reduction methods, and the creation of a next-generation bioenergy industry.
Applying Professor Kim's core technology, high-efficiency crops that can absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide and be used as an energy source can be mass-produced. These crops can be used as a raw material for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), an eco-friendly aviation fuel, which is expected to be an important stepping stone for Korea to emerge as a powerhouse in future aviation fuels.
Professor Kim stated, "The climate change and food security crises facing humanity are no longer issues that we can turn a blind eye to. I decided to make this donation with the hope of contributing to a sustainable future through the advancement of gene editing science and technology, talent cultivation, and industry-academia-research collaboration."
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee emphasized, "Professor Jinsoo Kim's donation is a role model that shows a scientist's dedication and social responsibility. KAIST will lead innovative technologies and take the lead in solving the global climate and food crises through the Center for Plant-based Carbon Capture."
2025.09.16 View 689 -
Planting 1,000 Mugunghwa Trees to Open a New Path of Scientific and Technological Excellence
< (From right) President Kwang Hyung Lee, donors Namkyung Ko and Haeyoung Oh, and KAIST management >
On September 15, KAIST announced that it held a commemorative ceremony at 11:30 a.m. in front of the main building (E14) in Daejeon to plant 1,000 Mugunghwa trees, symbolizing the university's mission and challenging spirit as a leading science and technology institution in Korea.
This project was made possible by a donation from the couple Haeyoung Oh and Namkyung Ko, and the ceremony was attended by President Kwang Hyung Lee, other key university officials, and the donors.
The KAIST campus is already well-known for its spectacular cherry blossom-lined paths in the spring and its charming scenery with ducks and geese. The addition of a new Mugunghwa path, which will beautify the campus in the summer, will transform it into a place where the beauty of nature and the passion for learning coexist year-round.
Approximately 700 trees will be planted at the main Daejeon campus, with around 300 to be planted at the Seoul and Munji campuses. The Mugunghwa trees are expected to become a new landmark of the campus, alongside the cherry blossoms. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors will be able to walk along the flowered paths and find rest, inspiration, and a message of challenge.
Established in 1971 to realize the national goal of economic development through science and technology, KAIST is Korea's first specialized university for science and engineering. Over the past half-century, it has led the nation's remarkable industrialization and advanced technological development by nurturing world-class scientific and technological talent and conducting innovative research. Today, it is recognized as a key driving force behind Korea's leap toward becoming a global leader in artificial intelligence. This journey has always been centered on KAIST's challenges and achievements.
< (From left) Haeyoung Oh, Namkyung Ko, and President Kwang Hyung Lee >
Considering this history and mission, planting the national flower, Mugunghwa, on campus is not just a simple planting but a symbolic act of creating a path that represents the development of Korean science and technology. The Mugunghwa’s persistent vitality and challenging spirit align with the very spirit of KAIST.
Currently, KAIST is home to over 1,580 students and researchers from 108 countries. Just as "K-pop Demon Hunters" recently garnered global attention and showcased a new face of Korean culture, the Mugunghwa path will also serve as a place for international members to directly experience Korean culture and as a symbol of KAIST's openness, diversity, and innovative spirit.
Donors Haeyoung Oh and Namkyung Ko have no direct ties to KAIST but are supporters who have been making monthly donations since 2022 out of a shared belief in the importance of scientific and technological development. Haeyoung Oh, who attended the event, shared, "I am delighted to be part of this meaningful event of planting our national flower, the Mugunghwa." He added, "I hope KAIST continues to grow as a resilient and ever-blooming university, just like the Mugunghwa."
President Kwang Hyung Lee stated, "The Mugunghwa is the flower that represents Korea and a symbol of the KAIST spirit." He continued, "Following the noble intentions of our donors, KAIST will grow even further as a cradle of scientific and technological challenges that change the world." President Lee also expressed his hope that "this Mugunghwa path will become a space of inclusion where global community members can experience Korean culture and find rest and inspiration."
< Donors and KAIST management participating in the Mugunghwa tree planting ceremony >
2025.09.15 View 671 -
KAIST Professors Participate in Mastering Immunity 2025 Singapore Summit
<2025 Global Infectious Diseases Summit>
KAIST is proud to announce the participation of Professors Eui-Cheol Shin and Jeong Seok Lee in the Mastering Immunity 2025: Global Infectious Diseases Summit, held on 1–2 September 2025 in Singapore. This international symposium brought together leading experts in immunology to discuss the latest advancements in infectious disease research, vaccine development, and immune response characterization.
At the summit, Professor Eui-Cheol Shin contributed as a speaker, sharing insights from his groundbreaking research in immunology, while Professor Jeong Seok Lee also presented on his latest work in the field. Professor Eui-Cheol Shin joined a panel discussion alongside other distinguished global experts, highlighting the importance of collaboration in addressing pressing infectious disease challenges.
The summit was organized by ProImmune, an international life-science company specializing in innovative immunology solutions. Through cutting-edge technologies, including Ankyron® target-binding reagents, Pro5® MHC Class I Pentamers, ProT2® MHC Class II Tetramers as well as immunology-based assays such as REVEAL® MHC Binding Assays and ProPresent® Antigen Presentation Assays are accelerating this vital research. ProImmune supports researchers worldwide in understanding immune responses and accelerating the development of vaccines and immunotherapies.
<Presentation at the Summit>
KAIST celebrates the contributions of Professors Shin and Lee in representing Korean science on the global stage and advancing the understanding of infectious diseases.
For more information about the Mastering Immunity 2025 summit and to view the recorded talks, visit: https://www.proimmune.com/conference-videos
2025.09.13 View 804 -
The Fall of Tor for Just $2: A Solution to the Tor Vulnerability
<(From Left) Ph.D candidate Jinseo Lee, Hobin Kim, Professor Min Suk Kang>
KAIST research team has made a new milestone in global security research, becoming the first Korean research team to identify a security vulnerability in Tor, the world's largest anonymous network, and propose a solution.
On September 12, our university's Professor Min Suk Kang's research team from the School of Computing announced that they had received an Honorable Mention Award at the USENIX Security 2025 conference, held from August 13 to 15 in Seattle, USA.
The USENIX Security conference is one of the world's most prestigious conferences in information security, ranking first among all security and cryptography conferences and journals based on the Google Scholar h-5 index. The Honorable Mention Award is a highly regarded honor given to only about 6% of all papers.
The core of this research was the discovery of a new denial-of-service (DoS) attack vulnerability in Tor, the world's largest anonymous network, and the proposal of a method to resolve it. The Tor Onion Service, a key technology for various anonymity-based services, is a primary tool for privacy protection, used by millions of people worldwide every day.
The research team found that Tor's congestion-sensing mechanism is insecure and proved through a real-world network experiment that a website could be crippled for as little as $2. This is just 0.2% of the cost of existing attacks. The study is particularly notable as it was the first to show that the existing security measures implemented in Tor to prevent DoS attacks can actually make the attacks worse.
In addition, the team used mathematical modeling to uncover the principles behind this vulnerability and provided guidelines for Tor to maintain a balance between anonymity and availability. These guidelines have been shared with the Tor development team and are currently being applied through a phased patch.
A new attack model proposed by the research team shows that when an attacker sends a tiny, pre-designed amount of attack traffic to a Tor website, it confuses the congestion measurement system. This triggers an excessive congestion control, which ultimately prevents regular users from accessing the website. The research team proved through experiments that the cost of this attack is only 0.2% of existing methods.
In February, Tor founder Roger Dingledine visited KAIST and discussed collaboration with the research team. In June, the Tor administration paid a bug bounty of approximately $800 in appreciation for the team's proactive report.
"Tor anonymity system security is an area of active global research, but this is the first study on security vulnerabilities in Korea, which makes it very significant," said Professor Kang Min-seok. "The vulnerability we identified is very high-risk, so it received significant attention from many Tor security researchers at the conference. We will continue our comprehensive research, not only on enhancing the Tor system's anonymity but also on using Tor technology in the field of criminal investigation."
The research was conducted by Ph.D. candidate Jinseo Lee (first author), and former master's student Hobin Kim at the KAIST Graduate School of Information Security and a current Ph.D. candidate at Carnegie Mellon University (second author).
The paper is titled "Onions Got Puzzled: On the Challenges of Mitigating Denial-of-Service Problems in Tor Onion Services." https://www.usenix.org/conference/usenixsecurity25/presentation/lee
This achievement was recognized as a groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind study on Tor security vulnerabilities in Korea and played a decisive role in the selection of Professor Kang's lab for the 2025 Basic Research Program (Global Basic Research Lab) by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
< Photo 2. Presentation photo of Ph.D cadidate Jinseo Lee from School of Computing>
Through this program, the research team plans to establish a domestic research collaboration system with Ewha Womans University and Sungshin Women's University and expand international research collaborations with researchers in the U.S. and U.K. to conduct in-depth research on Tor vulnerabilities and anonymity over the next three years.
< Photo 3. Presentation photo of Ph.D cadidate Jinseo Lee from School of Computing>
2025.09.12 View 891 -
KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee Receives France's Highest Honor, the 'Légion d'Honneu
<(From left) French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux, KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee>
KAIST announced on Thursday, September 11 that president Kwang Hyung Lee will be awarded the Officier (Officer) medal of the Légion d'Honneur, France's highest honor, at 3 p.m. at the French Ambassador's residence in Korea.
The Légion d'Honneur is the highest-ranking order of merit bestowed by the French government to individuals who have contributed to the development of France and the international community in various fields such as military, academia, culture, science, and industry. The award recognizes President Lee's academic and scientific achievements as the head of KAIST and his significant contributions to strengthening the close cooperative relationship between Korea and France.
<Légion d’Honneur “Officier” Badge>
As an alumnus of the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (INSA Lyon), President Kwang Hyung Lee has long led Franco-Korean cooperation in research and innovation. In 2003, he was awarded the Chevalier (Knight) medal of the French Ordre des Palmes Académiques (Order of Academic Palms)
Since taking office as president, he has further focused on global collaboration, expanding joint projects and academic exchanges with French universities and research institutions, including École Polytechnique. He has also encouraged interdisciplinary convergence research and emphasized entrepreneurship to ensure that research outcomes lead to commercialization and industrialization. He has expanded international cooperation, including establishing a partnership with New York University (NYU) and securing a Silicon Valley campus, and has contributed to the development of friendly relations between the two countries as a member of the Korea-France Club.
<President Kwang Hyung Lee Receiving the Medal from the French Ambassador>
In a congratulatory letter, French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Bertoux stated, "This award is a tribute to President Kwang Hyung Lee's exceptional academic and scientific achievements, and we highly appreciate his forward-looking vision demonstrated through the promotion of Franco-Korean cooperation and the strengthening of international partnerships." He added, "We hope this will serve as a catalyst for further strengthening the cooperation between our two countries."
President Lee expressed his feelings by saying, "It is a great honor to receive France's highest-ranking order of merit. Based on the spirit of open science that KAIST pursues, I will further expand global research cooperation to prepare for the future of humanity with France, Korea, and the international community."
The Légion d'Honneur was established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and has since been awarded to prominent figures from around the world. In the field of science, recipients include Marie Curie (a two-time Nobel laureate) and Alexander Fleming (discoverer of penicillin). Political and diplomatic recipients include Nelson Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II. In the cultural and artistic fields, Audrey Hepburn, Steven Spielberg, and Elton John have received the medal.
<Group Photo at French Medal Awarding Ceremony>
With this award, KAIST plans to further strengthen its cooperation with France and, building on this, expand joint research and talent exchanges with the international community to establish itself as a leading model for global scientific and technological cooperation.
2025.09.11 View 935 -
KAIST Holds Opening Ceremony for Advanced Semiconductor Research Equipment
KAIST announced on the 8th of September that its Graduate School of Semiconductor Technology held an opening ceremony for advanced equipment at 3 p.m. on the 8th at the Department of Electrical Engineering (E3-2) in the main campus in Daejeon. The event unveiled state-of-the-art research infrastructure that can be utilized by industry, academia, and research institutions.
The event was attended by approximately 80 people, including KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee, Daejeon Mayor Jang Woo Lee, and officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, companies, and research institutions. The ceremony included a plaque of appreciation presented to Synopsys Korea, congratulatory speeches, and an introduction to the equipment. Attendees toured the newly established equipment and facilities, expressing high expectations for the development of local industries.
<Group photo of attendees at the opening ceremony of advanced equipment at the Graduate School of Semiconductor Technology>
The advanced equipment introduced this time is a key infrastructure for research in semiconductor devices, materials, and packaging. It provides a comprehensive research environment that covers the entire semiconductor development process, from design and simulation to fabrication and evaluation. It is expected to function as a practical hub for collaboration between industry, academia, and research institutions, as it will be open not only to KAIST professors and students but also to local companies and research organizations.
In particular, the Graduate School of Semiconductor Technology is a core institution that simultaneously promotes next-generation technology development and talent cultivation in the semiconductor sector, a national strategic industry. It serves as a hub for strengthening the competitiveness of the Korean semiconductor industry. Semiconductors, which are the foundation of all advanced industries, including artificial intelligence, batteries, autonomous driving, and defense, are in a field of fierce global supply chain competition. Therefore, establishing an educational and research hub where industry, academia, and research can closely cooperate is essential. The opening of this advanced equipment facility holds national significance, extending beyond simple research to support the establishment of a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem.
Daejeon City is actively supporting this project with an investment of 4.9 billion KRW. This reflects the city's commitment to consolidating its excellent research infrastructure and talent in the semiconductor industry to use it as a new growth engine for the local economy. The city's key strategy is to foster Daejeon into a practical hub for the Korean semiconductor industry through cooperation with KAIST.
<KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee giving a welcoming speech at the opening ceremony of advanced equipment at the Graduate School of Semiconductor Technology>
KAIST also received a donation of a semiconductor process/device simulation software (TCAD) license from Synopsys Korea, a leading global semiconductor design software company, which provides it with world-class semiconductor education and research infrastructure.
The support project for the Graduate School of Semiconductor Technology is being pursued over a five-year period from 2023 to 2028, with a total budget of 21.5 billion KRW (15 billion KRW from the national government, 4.9 billion KRW from the city, and 1.6 billion KRW from KAIST's own funds). A faculty of 34 professors from the Department of Electrical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering plan to cultivate more than 225 highly skilled master's and doctoral level professionals. Currently, 123 students are enrolled in the graduate school, and it has achieved tangible results, such as carrying out collaborative projects with about 20 companies in an industry-academia consortium.
Daejeon Mayor Jang Woo Lee emphasized, "I hope that the combination of Daejeon's research infrastructure and talent will lead to the development of local industries. We will continue to strengthen cooperation with and actively support KAIST."
Gyeong-shin So, CEO of Synopsys Korea, stated, "I hope KAIST students will gain advanced simulation experience using TCAD and grow into key talents who will lead the global semiconductor industry."
<Photo of the tour of the Graduate School of Semiconductor Technology's equipment room>
President Kwang Hyung Lee said, "Daejeon is the optimal location for the semiconductor industry, equipped with the best research infrastructure and personnel in Korea. With the opening of this advanced equipment facility as an opportunity, KAIST will further contribute to strengthening national semiconductor competitiveness by creating innovative research results and fostering global talent."
This opening of the advanced equipment facility and the donation from Synopsys Korea are evaluated as important milestones that will lead to the qualitative growth of the Korean semiconductor industry. KAIST plans to cultivate global-level semiconductor talent and contribute to the development of the semiconductor industry on a national scale beyond Daejeon by developing new curricula and textbooks and promoting joint industry-academia projects in the future.
2025.09.09 View 1178