□ Facing the launch of the Republic of Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (hereafter KIOST), the Republic of Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute (President Kang Jung-keuk) and the Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs (Minister Kwon Do-youp) joined hands to host “The International Symposium for the Establishment of the Republic of Korea Institute of Ocean Science Technology to Pioneer a New Age of the Ocean”  on 9th march (Friday) at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul.

ㅇ This symposium was organized to share experiences and future prospects among national and foreign experts of ocean science and to collect various feedback regarding the founding of KIOST and the setup of its operational directions.
* KORDI: Republic of Korea Ocean Research & Development Institute
* KIOST: Republic of Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology

□ The symposium featured speeches by the following speakers: Seung-Yong Hong, vice chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on Education, Science & Technology, and other national ocean experts on the future prospects of ocean science & technology R&D, research strategy, and the partnership with KIOST. In addition, speeches by were also given by experts from ocean research organizations in five advanced countries in this field (US, UK, France, Germany, Japan).

ㅇ After the speeches, a heated discussion ensued between the participants on the topics “Trends and future prospects of global ocean science & technology” and “The vision and development strategy for KIOST.”

□ A KIOST affiliate stated that, “Since KIOST strives to be the world’s best ocean research institute in all areas, such as institutional management or research results, we expect that this symposium will be helpful in setting up the basic directions for the founding of the institute by referring back to the leading ocean research institutes”.

□ On the other hand, the Ministry of Land, Transport, and Maritime Affairs formed last February the “Preparatory Committee for the Founding of KIOST,” with the Undersecretary of the above ministry, Joo Seong-ho, as chairperson, as well as the practical organization “Founding Preparation Bureau” in order to intensively pursue the preparations for the foundation of KIOST.