The Republic of Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (KIOST) held a ceremony to celebrate its first anniversary at its headquarters in Ansan, Gyeonggi-do province, on June 28.

The ceremony was attended by executives and employees of the institute, as well as guests from many other marine-related organizations. During the event, the "2013 Best Paper Awards" and the "2013 OPR Best Paper Awards" were presented.

*OPR (Ocean and Polar Research): An international quarterly journal of ocean and polar research published by KIOST.

*OPR (Ocean and Polar

The “2013 KIOST Best Paper Awards” went to seven people, including Dr. Im Un-hyeok of the Oil and Hazardous Substance Research Center and Dr. Jeong Seung-won of the Library of Marine Samples. The eight winners of the "2013 OPR Best Paper Awards" included Dr. Yu Ju-hyeong of KIOST and Prof. Kim Sang-hyeon of Hansung University.

Dr. Bak Chan-hong, the first vice president of KIOST, read a speech prepared by KIOST President Kang Jung-keuk on his behalf since Kang was in China to sign a revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the expansion of bilateral cooperation in marine science between Republic of Korea and China.

Kang wrote in his speech that, over the past year, KIOST has continued its efforts to become a global leader in the field of marine science and technology, including its establishment of research bases in all five oceans.

“Republic of Korea and China signed an MOU for cooperation in the marine sector with both heads of state in attendance. This shows the heightened interest in marine science domestically and the increasing importance of cooperation in marine science internationally,” Kang wrote. He also urged the staff members of KIOST to cooperate and work together in harmony to build KIOST into a global research organization.

KIOST was established on July 1, 2012, to meet the demand to systematically and intensively raise the level and competitiveness of Republic of Korea’s marine science work. Its predecessor organization is the Republic of Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI). KIOST will hold a separate ceremony in October to mark the 40^th anniversary of KORDI.