KAIST

< Former President Kwang Hyung Lee attending the honorary doctorate conferment ceremony at the National Defense University >

Kwang Hyung Lee, KAIST's 17th president, received an honorary doctorate in military science from Korea National Defense University (KNDU). Lee earned the nickname “Science Commander” for pioneering efforts to bring science and technology into national defense and for his extensive collaboration with the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

KAIST (President Choongsik Bae) announced that former President Lee received the honorary degree at KNDU's 71st Founding Anniversary Ceremony. The ceremony was held at 10:30 a.m. on August 13 at the Sejong Grand Auditorium on KNDU's campus in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province.

< Former President Kwang Hyung Lee, recipient of an honorary doctorate >

This was only the second time KNDU had conferred an honorary doctorate in military science since its founding. The first recipient was General Paik Sun-yup, who received the honor in 2015, the year of the university's 60th anniversary.

The honorary degree recognizes Lee's contributions during his presidency to integrating science and technology with national defense and security. He established an educational framework for security and defense science and technology, strengthened the foundation for civil-military cooperation, and contributed to enhancing Korea's national security capabilities.

"Former President Lee made significant contributions to incorporating science and technology into defense innovation and talent development, and to building an educational and research foundation for the future of national defense," Lee Hongsub, Acting President of KNDU, said. "In recognition of these achievements, we decided to confer the honorary doctorate in military science."

Since taking office in 2021, Lee has worked to build an education, research, and cooperation system connecting science and technology with national security, centered on KAIST's Institute for Security Convergence (ISC). Through this effort, he has helped build a science and technology ecosystem geared toward future national security needs.

Lee led educational programs on future strategic technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, space, and quantum technology for major security institutions, including the Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Army, Navy, Air Force, the Korean National Police Agency, and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. Between 2022 and June 2026, these programs trained approximately 4,000 security professionals, including about 3,000 military and Ministry of National Defense personnel and 1,000 police personnel. In addition, roughly 3,500 service members received software and AI education, and about 3,700 children of military families took part in science camps, bringing the total number of participants in science- and technology-based education to 11,200.

Lee also worked to establish an open collaboration framework for national security. He brought the ROK Army's Future & Innovation Research Center—which focuses on identifying next-generation defense R&D projects—and its AI Collaboration Center to KAIST. This laid the groundwork for the university and the military to jointly conduct research on future strategic technologies and explore their practical applications. He also established the Munji Forum, officially known as the Security and Defense Science and Technology Future Strategy Forum, bringing together the military, industry, academia, and research institutes to discuss the future security environment and advanced technologies. Under his leadership, it grew into a leading platform connecting science, technology, and national defense.

Lee further worked to build a research foundation for addressing emerging security challenges such as cognitive warfare and cybersecurity. He served as vice chair of the Ministry of National Defense's Special Advisory Committee on Defense Innovation, as well as a member of the ministry's Policy Advisory Committee and Defense Reform Advisory Committee, helping bridge science and technology policy and national security policy. He also pursued educational and academic cooperation with KNDU, including lectures for KNDU's security programs and joint defense-related academic conferences, helping train the next generation of security experts.

"It is a great honor to receive such a meaningful degree at a time when science and technology have become a core asset determining national security and defense capabilities," Lee said. "I see this honorary degree as recognition of what the KAIST community has accomplished together in advancing defense innovation through science and technology." He added, "I will continue working to ensure that Korea's scientific and technological capabilities make a tangible contribution to national security and the safety of its people."

President Choongsik Bae attended the degree conferral ceremony to congratulate former President Lee.

"Former President Lee laid the groundwork for closer collaboration between science and technology and national defense, opening a path for KAIST to contribute to national security," Bae said. "This honorary doctorate in military science is a meaningful recognition from the defense community of his dedication and achievements, and I sincerely congratulate him together with the entire KAIST community." He added, "KAIST will continue to strengthen cooperation with security and defense institutions and expand responsible research and development so that advanced science and technology can contribute to national security and public safety."

< President Choongsik Bae attending the honorary doctorate conferment ceremony at the Korea National Defense University >

The honorary doctorate ceremony was held together with KNDU's 71st Founding Anniversary Ceremony.

< Group photo at the 71st anniversary celebration of Korea National Defense University and honorary doctorate conferment ceremony >