[DigitalToday Jin-ho Lee] South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT honoured the achievements of science and technology merit awardees who contributed to national scientific and technological development.

The ministry held the Republic of Korea Science and Technology Merit Awardees tribute ceremony at 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the Westin Josun Hotel in Seoul.

The ministry designates scientists and engineers who contributed to national science and technology development as science and technology merit awardees under a law on treatment and support for awardees, and provides honours and support. It said a total of 95 people have been honoured since the first designations in 2017.

Those honoured this time are the late Young-dae Kwon (권영대), an emeritus professor at Seoul National University, the late Young-sun Kang (강영선), an emeritus professor at Seoul National University, Kyung-seo Lee (이경서), chairman of Danam Systems, and the late Min-hwa Lee (이민화), honorary chairman of the Korea Venture Business Association.

Kwon, a pioneer in physics, made radiation measuring instruments himself, creating a starting point for domestic space radiation research. He completed a 1MeV cyclotron, an early particle accelerator, in the 1960s and extracted a proton beam, laying the groundwork for domestic accelerator research.

Kang led the establishment of the biology department at Seoul National University, the country's first after liberation. He built academic foundations in zoology, cytology, genetics and embryology, and contributed to institutionalising natural environment conservation through efforts such as the national park establishment movement.

Lee Kyung-seo was the chief researcher responsible for the development project of the country's first ballistic missile, Baekgom. Through research into solid-rocket propulsion technology and key technologies for inertial navigation systems, he laid the groundwork for the development of K-defence and aerospace technologies. Lee Min-hwa developed the country's first ultrasound diagnostic device and founded Medison, a first-generation venture company.

About 180 people attended the event, including Deputy Prime Minister and Science Minister Kyung-hoon Bae (배경훈), science and technology merit awardees and their families. Speakers for the tribute lecture included Dong-A Science CEO Kyung-ae Jang (장경애) and UST emeritus professor Sun-hwa Han (한선화). Four next-generation scientists and engineers, including KAIST professor Hyun-joo Lee (이현주), Dankook University professor Jung-hwan Lee (이정환), IBS principal researcher Sang-kyu Lee (이상규) and Pusan National University professor Yoo-jin Kim (김유진), held a discussion under the theme, "Resonant devotion, brilliant innovation."

The ministry said it is also proceeding with procedures to designate new awardees for 2026, aiming for final confirmation in the second half of this year.

Bae said, "The history of our science and technology has led to the great achievements of scientists and engineers who were not afraid of challenges and failures." He added, "We will strengthen national honours for noble devotion and ensure a culture takes root in which scientists and engineers are truly respected."