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The Global Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs) is pleased to announce an upcoming G-CODEs Talks seminar: "Measuring Sustainable Development: Current Status of Korea's National Sustainable Development Goals (K-SDGs)." This seminar will provide a comprehensive overview of Korea's National Sustainable Development Goals (K-SDGs), including the background of their establishment, the indicator framework, implementation progress, and evaluation methods. The session will explore how sustainable development can be effectively measured and managed at the national level. ■ Event Details • Date & Time: Monday, May 4, 2026, 16:00–17:30 • Venue: KAIST Humanities & Social Sciences Building (N4), Room 1316, Daejeon Campus • Speaker: Dr. Woohyun Jung, Senior Research Fellow, Korea Environment Institute (KEI) ※ This event will be conducted in Korean. ※ Please pre-register for the seminar via the link below:      (https://moaform.com/q/PN3cjA) ■ Speaker Bio Dr. Woohyun Jung is a Senior Research Fellow at the Korea Environment Institute (KEI), specializing in environmental policy and sustainable development, including the SDGs. • Senior Research Fellow, Korea Environment Institute (KEI)  • Former committee member: - Central Environmental Policy Committee - Ministry of Environment Regulatory Review Committee - Presidential Committee on Autonomy and Decentralization and others We look forward to your interest and participation.

2026.04.29.

KAIST CAF × G-CODEs Seminar Navigating Through Failure The Global Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs) and KAIST Center for Ambitious Failure are pleased to invite you to the joint seminar, “Navigating Through Failure.” “Failure is not something to overcome, but a process we eventually pass through.” How do we move through that process? And what do we choose to carry forward from it? This seminar begins with personal experiences and expands into a broader discussion on how we make choices in a rapidly changing technological environment, and how we understand and reflect on failure. We warmly invite you to join this conversation that crosses boundaries. ■ Event Information • Date & Time: Thursday, April 30, 16:00–17:30 • Venue: KAIST Daejeon Main Campus Academic Cultural Complex (E9), Yang Seungtaik Auditorium • Speaker: Soryeong Park, Founder of PUBLY • Host/Organizer: KAIST CAF × G-CODEs ※ Please note that this event will be conducted in Korean (no interpretation provided). ■ About the Speaker Soryeong Park founded the knowledge content startup PUBLY in 2015 and led the company until 2024. Recently, she published “Navigating Through Failure,” a book that reflects on the choices, failures, and insights she encountered throughout her 10-year entrepreneurial journey. • Founder and CEO of PUBLY (2015–2024) • M.P.P., Harvard Kennedy School (2014) • B.B.A., Seoul National University (2005) ■ Registration 👉 https://moaform.com/q/xXCGRY ※ Participants who submit questions in advance will be entered into a raffle to receive a signed copy of the speaker’s book. We look forward to sharing this conversation with you— rethinking failure not as something to overcome, but as something we move through. Thank you for your interest and participation!

2026.04.08.

The Global Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs) at KAIST is pleased to host the G-CODEs Talks seminar, “Economic Impacts and Implications of the U.S.–Iran Conflict.” This seminar will examine the U.S.–Iran conflict and explore its implications for both the global and Korean economies from economic, energy, and security perspectives. ■ Event Information • Date & Time: Thursday, April 16, 17:00–18:30 • Venue: Room 1220, N4 Building, KAIST Daejeon Campus • Speaker: Kwang-Ho Ryu (Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, KIEP) ※ Please note that this event will be conducted in Korean (no interpretation provided). ※ Please register in advance for the seminar by accessing the link below:      (https://answer.moaform.com/answers/MG0ZxV) ■ About the Speaker Kwang-Ho Ryu is a Senior Researcher at the Africa, Middle East, and Latin America Team of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), specializing in Middle East conflicts, energy markets, and global economic dynamics. • Senior Researcher, Africa, Middle East, and Latin America Team, KIEP • Member, Development Project Review Committee, Korea Western Power • Member, Country Risk Advisory Panel, Korea Trade Insurance Corporation We look forward to your interest and participation.

2026.04.08.

KAIST's Global Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs) will hold the "Global Science and Technology Cooperation Forum: Reflection and Prospect" at the Yang Seung-taek Auditorium, the Academic Culture Center of KAIST's main campus, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20.    Recently, the global science and technology environment is changing faster than ever due to supply chain reorganization, strengthening technological security, discussing artificial intelligence governance, and accelerating digital transformation. In this trend, international cooperation in science and technology is evolving beyond mere research exchanges into a comprehensive cooperative system that organically links national R&D strategies and policies.   This forum is designed to actively respond to these changes and to explore new strategic directions for Korea's cooperation in science and technology and innovation. The forum will exchange various perspectives linking policy, research, and international cooperation, and compare and analyze science and technology strategies and policy changes in major countries such as the United States, China, and the EU.   Through this, it is expected to explore the strategic role Korea will play in the reorganization of the global science and technology order and present practical implications for setting future-oriented policy directions at the national level. Go to pre-register

2025.11.14.

This recruitment will be conducted as an individual hiring process. For detailed information, please refer to the attached file and the links below. KAIST Website: https://www.kaist.ac.kr/kr/html/footer/0814.html?mode=V&no=605f7d8f10df4f6be7246e1184774a4b&GotoPage=1 HiBrain Recruitment Portal: https://www.hibrain.net/recruitment/recruits/3545643?listType=RECOMM&pagekey=3545643&adId=169750 Attachment: Recruitment Announcement (Research Faculty) – PDF

2025.10.02.

This recruitment is conducted as part of KAIST's integrated hiring process. For detailed information, please refer to the attached file and the links below. KAIST Website: https://www.kaist.ac.kr/kr/html/footer/0814.html?mode=V&no=6d9d9b68290df02be5dcde7a28c1443c&GotoPage=1 Work24 (Korean Government Employment Portal): https://www.work24.go.kr/wk/a/b/1500/empDetailAuthView.do?wantedAuthNo=K170052510010016&infoTypeCd=VALIDATION&infoTypeGroup=tb_workinfoworknet Attachments: Integrated Recruitment Announcement (October 2025, Regular and Contract Positions) – PDF Job Description and Application Details (October 2025) – PDF

2025.10.02.

On April 24, 2026, researchers and academics gathered in Singapore for the Workshop on "Advancing South Korea-ASEAN Science and Technology Cooperation". Jointly organized by the East Asian Institute (EAI) at National University of Singapore, the University of Sydney, and KAIST G-CODEs, the workshop brought together experts from both regions to discuss the current state, challenges, and future directions of South Korea-ASEAN S&T cooperation. "In unity, there is resilience." H.E. HONG Jin-Wook, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Singapore The workshop opened with a congratulatory speech by H.E. HONG Jin-Wook, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Singapore, who underscored the diplomatic significance of Korea-ASEAN S&T cooperation in the current geopolitical context. His message symbolized the potential for meaningful collaboration between South Korea and ASEAN amid intensifying US-China strategic competition. The workshop consisted of four panels addressing the full breadth of the Korea-ASEAN S&T agenda. Experts from ASEAN nations including Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia including 20 scholars and policy researchers gathered to present and discuss key issues. In the first session, Prof. Kyung Ryul Park (KAIST STP / Director, G-CODEs) presented on "Mapping Technology Cooperation Networks", introducing Korea's latest AI governance policies and initiatives, including the implementation of Korea's AI Basic Act (2016) and the 2026 national AI budget. He also chaired Panel 3 on Critical Technology Sectors, leading key discussions. Ms. Seohee Yoon (Ph.D. Student, KAIST STP) also presented on "Decades of Science & Technology Collaboration: A Bibliometric Analysis of Science and Technology Co-authorship between Republic of Korea and ASEAN" during the first sesion. Through a ten-year analysis of academic collaboration between the two regions, she mapped cooperation patterns and proposed effective frameworks for science and technology partnership, clearly identifying strengths and areas for improvement in regional cooperation. The workshop featured in-depth discussions across various critical technology domains and policy areas, with participants sharing concrete cooperation cases in nuclear energy, quantum technologies, and electric vehicles and batteries. These discussions demonstrated the direction South Korea-ASEAN S&T cooperation should pursue in the future. Major Discussion Areas: 1. Technology Trade and Research Networks   • Analysis of international cooperation structures in semiconductors, AI, and quantum technologies 2. Energy Security • Cooperation in nuclear power, renewable energy, and EV battery technologies 3. Emerging Technology Governance • Responsible development and international cooperation frameworks for AI and quantum technologies 4. Defense Industry Cooperation • South Korea's defense export strategies and alignment with ASEAN countries' needs 5. Policy and Institutions • Analysis of institutional gaps between South Korean and ASEAN countries in S&T policy 6. Capacity Building and Human Resource Development • Strategies for enhancing ASEAN countries' technological absorption capabilities The outcomes of this workshop will be compiled into an edited volume and publisehd later this year, with a title of "Advancing South Korea-ASEAN Science and Technology Cooperation", co-edited by Prof. Justin Hastings (University of Sydney) and Prof. Kyung Ryul Park (KAIST G-CODEs).

2026.04.24.

The Global Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs) at KAIST co-hosted the “Jobs for Youth in Africa Knowledge Exchange” in Nairobi, Kenya, from March 3 to 5, 2026 (local time), in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, the World Bank Group, and the African Union. The event served as a policy dialogue platform to address youth employment challenges in Africa, bringing together approximately 200 participants, including government officials from more than 20 African countries, representatives from international organizations, private sector leaders, academics, and development partners. Africa is expected to see its youth population double by 2050, while many countries continue to face high youth unemployment and widespread informal employment. The event marked the second in-person meeting of the Jobs for Youth in Africa Community of Practice (CoP), which was launched in Kigali, Rwanda in 2025. The workshop aimed to facilitate the sharing of policy experiences among member countries and to explore scalable models for youth employment initiatives. During the opening ceremony, Salim Mvurya, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports of Kenya, highlighted the critical importance of creating sustainable employment opportunities for young people. The workshop featured discussions and field-based learning centered on the following key themes: • Evidence-based youth employment strategies • Innovation in employment systems through digital technologies and artificial intelligence • Improving labor market outcomes through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) • Strengthening value chains and improving the business environment • Field visits to youth employment programs implemented by the Government of Kenya and the World Bank Professor Kyung-Ryul Park shared Korea’s experience in digital transformation and the application of artificial intelligence during the session on “Innovation in Employment Systems through Digital and AI Technologies”. Professor Gayoung Park facilitated a Global Café session, where participants exchanged experiences and insights on youth employment projects across countries. The event served as an important opportunity to strengthen international collaboration and implementation capacity for youth employment policies across Africa. A follow-up workshop is expected to take place early next year at the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST) located in Konza Technopolis.

2026.03.06.

From February 6-7, 2026, the KAIST Global Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs) and New York University co-organized the “2026 NYU-KAIST AI Summit on Frontier AI Governance,” hosted at NYU’s Brooklyn campus in New York City.   Over two days, the summit convened 60 experts from academia, industry, government, and civil society to help move the frontier AI governance conversation from abstract high-level principles to practicable global approaches. The program featured keynote talks, a public panel discussion, and three issue-focused working groups drafting governance directions across: 1) governance requirements, 2) institutional architecture, and 3) implementation pathways.   Day 1 opened with an address by Karin Pavese and S. Matthew Liao, featuring keynotes by Director Kyung Ryul Park on the implications of Korea’s AI Action Plan and the Korea AI Act for global partnerships: Urs Gasser on the EU AI Act, and Brad Carson on AI in American politics. Participants engaged in working group deliberations and discussed governance obligations. Day 2 began with a keynote by Jiho Cha on Korea’s vision for an AI Universal Basic Society, setting the stage for an intensive day of consensus-building. Participants first developed proposals for an institutional architecture for AI governance by emphasizing inclusive participation, then turned to pragmatic implementation focusing on obligations that should define good AI governance.   The summit concluded with a public panel discussion including Kwame Antony Appiah, Rorry Daniels, Kenji Yoshino, Victoria Nash, Brad Carson, and Seb Krieron underscoring the importance of AI education and public trust.   Across sessions, participants agreed that progress in AI governance can be supported through strong professional and oversight standards, shared responsibility among stakeholders, and robust accountability principles, pointing to the international human rights framework as a critical foundation for global governance of frontier AI systems.   The successful completion of the summit marks a major milestone for the NYU-KAIST partnership, established in 2022 to foster international collaboration and advance research and education. Special thanks go to our working group chairs: Vincent Conitzer, Claudia Passos, Jeff Kahn, Simona Tiribelli and Stefaan Verhulst.

2026.02.11.

KAIST's Global Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs, Director Kyung Ryul Park) announced that it successfully hosted the "AI for Global Development Forum: Innovation & Inclusion" on Wednesday, December 10, at the Jeongdong 1928 Art Center Event Hall in Seoul, with the support of the Korea Association of International Development and Cooperation (KAIDEC). This forum was organized to integrate fragmented discussions on AI development and explore sustainable global governance and cooperative structures, recognizing AI as a key driver that is redefining international development cooperation beyond mere technological innovation.  Experts from major domestic and international institutions, including KAIST, the World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), United Nations University (UNU), Google, and Nature, participated to discuss inclusive strategies for utilizing AI technology. The event featured four sessions involving in-depth presentations and discussions focused on: ▲AI in a Contested World: Bridging Theory and Practice, ▲Managing Disaster and Climate Risk in Fragile Contexts, ▲Cross-Sector Innovation and Governance, and ▲AI for Planetary Health. Notably, practical and concrete solutions were presented, such as the Geo-Enabled Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS) initiative for supporting fragile states, KAIST's MetaEarth technology for climate crisis response, and AI governance models facilitating public-private-academic cooperation. During the comprehensive discussion, participants reached a consensus that for AI to serve as a tool for reducing socio-economic gaps in developing countries, institutional capacity building and multilateral cooperation are essential alongside technological approaches.  Furthermore, they agreed that shared cooperative models, such as the 'Multinational Advanced AI Development Infrastructure,' will be key to unlocking an inclusive global AI future.

2026.01.12.

KAIST's Global  Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs) successfully hosted the "Forum on Global Cooperation in Science and Technology: Reflections and Prospects" on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Yang Seung-taek Auditorium in the Academic Cultural Complex (E9), KAIST Main Campus, Daejeon.   This forum was organized to discuss strategies and directions for Korea to advance in collaboration with the global research ecosystem amidst the rapidly changing international science and technology landscape. Experts from various fields, including government, academia, and research institutes, participated to discuss the necessity and possibilities of international S&T cooperation.   The event consisted of three sessions focusing on: ▲ Future-oriented S&T cooperation strategies, ▲ Constraints and prospects of international cooperation in S&T, and ▲ Korea's strategic direction based on country-specific cooperation cases. Presentations and discussions covered practical tasks and policy implications, such as research data-based collaboration models, global joint research infrastructure, diversification of research cooperation, and technology diplomacy systems.   During the comprehensive discussion, participants highlighted the need to expand international joint research in key strategic fields such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, and biotechnology. A consensus was reached that Korean research institutions should take a more active role in establishing global cooperation platforms.

2025.12.01.

● Date : Oct. 16th, 2025 (Thu.) ● Venue : American Association for Advancement of Science (Washington DC) ● Participants : Kimberly Montgomery (Director, International Affairs and Science Diplomacy, AAAS), Alessandra Zimmerman (Senior Manager, R&D Policy, AAAS), Kyung Ryul Park (Director, G-CODEs), Yeon Hak Kim (Science & ICT Attaché, Korean Embassy in the USA), Seung Hyun Kim (PhD candidate, STP), Ji-Soo Sim (Consultant, WB) ● Summary of Meeting :   AAAS operates a wide range of programs aimed at advancing science and technology and enhancing public understanding. The R&D Policy team conducts research on science and technology policy, governance, budget and investment trends, and policy impact assessments, while also engaging in policy recommendations and international collaboration. In a meeting with G-CODEs, potential avenues for cooperation in science and technology policy research were explored, particularly future collaboration in data-driven policy analysis and participation in joint seminars.

2025.10.16.

KAIST announced on the 6th that the 'Jobs for Youth in Africa Knowledge Exchange' platform was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from March 3 to 5 (local time). The event was hosted by the Kenyan government and co-organized by the World Bank Group, the African Union, and the KAIST Global Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs). As a high-level policy implementation platform dedicated to addressing youth employment challenges in Africa, the event drew approximately 200 participants, including government officials from over 20 African nations, international organizations, the private sector, academia, and development cooperation partners. KAIST participated as a key global partner linking technology and policy, presenting innovation models for employment systems based on digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. < Scene from the meeting hosted by the Kenyan government > With Africa’s youth population projected to double by 2050, the continent faces significant hurdles such as high unemployment rates and informal employment. This event marked the second face-to-face meeting of the 'Jobs for Youth in Africa Community of Practice (CoP),' which was launched in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2025. The meeting aimed to share policy experiences among member states and materialize scalable implementation models. Salim Mvurya, Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, attended the opening ceremony and emphasized that youth job creation is a critical priority at both national and continental levels. The program focused on several key themes: • Evidence-based youth employment strategies • Innovation in employment systems through digital and AI technologies • Improving labor market outcomes through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) • Business environment reforms and strengthening value chain linkages Notably, in the session titled "Digital and AI-based Employment System Innovation," Professor Kyung Ryul Park of KAIST shared Korea’s digital transformation experiences and AI application cases, proposing directions for data-driven policy design and the development of technology-based employment platforms. Additionally, KAIST Professor Ga-young Park facilitated mutual learning and connected cases of scalable youth employment projects across countries during the "Global Cafe Session." Participants visited the project site of "National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA)," an initiative pursued by the Kenyan government and the World Bank. There, they observed a comprehensive youth employment model that integrates vocational training, job matching, and entrepreneurship support. The site visit served as a practical learning opportunity to share the processes of policy design and execution. Since last year, KAIST has been involved in digital innovation projects for youth employment in East Africa through the Korea-World Bank Partnership Facility (KWPF). Through this event, the university reaffirmed its status as a global cooperation hub leading technology-based policy innovation. "The issue of youth employment is a structural challenge that combines digital transformation, industrial strategy, and educational reform," stated Professor Kyung Ryul Park. "KAIST will continue to present actionable policy models based on data and technology while strengthening international cooperation." This Knowledge Exchange platform is evaluated as a significant milestone that reaffirmed the African youth employment agenda as a core priority of international cooperation and solidified the foundation for enhancing policy implementation capabilities. A follow-up workshop is scheduled to be held early next year at the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST) campus in Konza, Nairobi, which is modeled after KAIST.   Go to the original article

2026.03.10.

< KAIST Professor Kyung Ryul Park delivering a keynote speech >   KAIST announced on February 9th that the KAIST-NYU AI and Digital Governance Summit, co-hosted with New York University (NYU), was held at NYU in New York from February 6 to 7 (local time). Amid the rapidly expanding impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across society, this summit was designed to combine private consensus meetings with public discussions to seek practical AI governance solutions that harmonize technological innovation with safety and ethical responsibility.   The summit was attended by 60 global AI governance leaders representing academia, industry, and civil society, including NYU professors Matthew Liao and David Chalmers, Victoria Nash (Director of the Oxford Internet Institute), Professor Vincent Conitzer (Carnegie Mellon University), Iason Gabriel (Principal Scientist at Google DeepMind), and Philip Goldberg (former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea). In particular, the public discussion on the second day drew high interest, with approximately 450 audience members in attendance. < Brad Carson, U.S. Representative for Responsible Innovation and former U.S. Congressman, delivering a keynote speech >   This event garnered attention as an 'experimental consensus model' aimed at deriving an actionable AI governance framework beyond a simple forum. KAIST’s Global Center for Open Development with Evidence-based Strategies (G-CODEs) and the NYU Center for Bioethics had formed three working groups—Governance Requirements, Institutional Architecture, and Implementation Pathways—since last December to conduct preliminary discussions. At the New York site, practice-oriented recommendations were derived through intensive consensus-style discussions and voting.   In the Governance Requirements session, the need for enhanced oversight and monitoring of high-risk AI systems was discussed. In the ‘Institutional Architecture’ session, principles for designing AI oversight bodies were reviewed, referencing existing high-risk technology oversight models such as the FDA, IRB, and FAA. In the Implementation Pathways session, short-term governance tools and corporate responsibility standards that could be applied even during the current gap in international regulation were addressed as key issues.   Major global Big Tech experts from Meta, Google DeepMind, IBM, Amazon, Anthropic, TikTok and Hugging Face participated in the summit. From KAIST, researchers including Prof. So Young Kim , Prof. Kyung Ryul Park, and Prof. Hyungjun Kim shared Korea’s research achievements in AI governance.his event was conducted with support from the Korea Foundation’s (KF) international collaborative research program. Professor Kyung Ryul Park of KAIST stated, “This summit was a meaningful attempt to expand AI governance beyond technical regulation into a matter of international cooperation and institutional design. Through the cooperation between KAIST and NYU, we will build a foundation for Korea to lead global AI governance discussions.” KAIST President Kwang Hyung Lee remarked, “The importance of governance discussions for responsible AI innovation is growing. KAIST will continue to lead interdisciplinary research and policy discussions in the field of AI governance through international partnerships.” < Sebastien Krier, AI Policy Lead at Google DeepMind, speaking > #ai governance #kaist nyu #ai #digital governance sumit  Go to the original article

2026.02.09.

“Intensifying geopolitical competition leaves AI bridge powers in a difficult situation where they’ll soon likely face insurmountable barriers to independent frontier AI development. To stay relevant and thrive economically, they need to work together and strategically choose their AI development approaches.” – Professor Yoshua Bengio, AI pioneer and co-author of the report. KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) announced on January18th that a research team led by Professor Kyung Ryul Park from the Global Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs), in collaboration with Canada's Mila - Quebec AI Institute, Oxford University, RWTH Aachen University, and other global institutions, has co-published a policy report titled 「A Blueprint for Multinational Advanced AI Development」. The report underscores that “an international advanced AI research & development partnership of AI bridge powers can feasibly produce frontier AI models, and is essential for safeguarding the sovereignty, democratic values, economic competitiveness and growth, technical innovation, and national security of these bridge power states.” The report highlights that approximately 90% of global AI computing capacity is concentrated in the U.S. (75%) and China (15%). It analyzes that this concentration of resources could restrict "bridge power" nations from independently developing advanced AI and deepen technological dependence on specific countries or global Big Tech companies. <(From top left) Professor Kyung Ryul Park (KAIST), Professor Yoshua Bengio (University of Montreal), Professor Holger Hoos (RWTH Aachen University), Professor Joachim Henkel (Technical University of Munich), Nicolas Miailhe (Co-founder of The Future Society), and Professor K. VijayRaghavan (National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFR)> According to the report, "AI Bridge Power Nations" refer to countries that, while not superpowers like the U.S. or China, possess world-class research influence and digital infrastructure, but face realistic constraints in building hyper-scale AI systems alone. South Korea, Canada, the UK, Germany, and Singapore are cited as representative examples. South Korea, in particular, possesses strong government commitment and excellent ICT infrastructure. However, it faces limitations compared to the U.S. and China in securing hyper-scale AI infrastructure. This context aligns with the Korean government’s recently announced "AI Action Plan," which emphasizes expanding international AI cooperation. The cooperation model proposed in the report is a multinational joint research framework similar to CERN (European Council for Nuclear Research), focusing on: - Sharing computing infrastructure - Cooperation on high-quality data - Cross-border exchanges of talent and research Through this framework, the report suggests jointly developing frontier AI models while simultaneously building an inclusive AI ecosystem that reflects ethical AI use as well as linguistic and cultural diversity. Furthermore, the report proposes strengthening the long-term technological self-reliance and innovation capacity of participating countries. Professor Holger Hoos of RWTH Aachen University evaluated this initiative as “An ambitious but extremely realistic plan for a new multinational partnership in the field of artificial intelligence.” Professor Kyung Ryul Park of KAIST added, “This report shows that AI bridge powers, including South Korea, can present an alternative path through scientific solidarity. It is a new opportunity for us to strengthen responsible AI leadership by leading agendas that jointly respond to global challenges.” This report involved world-renowned scholars from Oxford University, Mila, The Future Society, and the Paris Peace Forum, with KAIST’s G-CODEs playing a central role in South Korea. Go to the original article

2026.01.19.

Daejeon, Republic of Korea — November 2025 — KAIST has joined forces with the World Bank to launch a new initiative aimed at advancing youth employment and social protection systems through digital innovation in East Africa. The project, titled “Enhancing Youth Employment Policies through Digital Technologies,” will be implemented in Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania over the next three years. The initiative is jointly led by Professor Kyung Ryul Park of the KAIST Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy, John Van Dyck, Director of the World Bank’s Social Protection and Labor (SPL) Global Practice, and Yoon Young Cho, Senior Economist at the World Bank. Supported by the Korea–World Bank Partnership Facility (KWPF), the project is funded at approximately KRW 1.4 billion (USD 980,000) and will run through 2028. The collaboration aims to strengthen youth employment and advance the digital transformation of social protection systems in East Africa. In many developing countries, such systems are still managed manually, resulting in inefficiencies and inaccuracies. To address these challenges, the project will establish AI- and big data–driven digital social registry systems that enhance transparency, accuracy, and efficiency in social service delivery. Beyond technology transfer, the project will also explore broader social and policy challenges that arise in digital labor markets — including algorithmic bias, ethical considerations in AI, and new forms of inequality. Through this work, the partners aim to develop a new model for an “inclusive AI transition,” ensuring that technological innovation contributes to social inclusion and sustainable development. Findings from the project will be published in World Bank reports and policy briefs. As a global leader in digital governance and data-driven policymaking, South Korea’s experience is expected to play a key role in helping East African governments design and implement resilient, inclusive, and data-based labor and social protection systems. The KAIST Global Center for Development and Strategy (G-CODEs) will organize two international workshops in collaboration with the Korea Development Institute (KDI), the Ministry of Employment and Labor of Korea, and the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya-AIST). These workshops will help local officials build capacity in applying digital technologies, while providing KAIST researchers and students with hands-on experience in global development cooperation. A kickoff workshop was held during the World Bank Annual Meetings earlier this month, with participation from Professors Kyung-Ryul Park and Seok-Kyun Woo (Graduate School of Science and Technology Policy), Dean Ji-Yong Eom (Graduate School of Green Growth and Sustainability), Researcher Seung-Hyun Kim, and Consultant Ji-Su Sim (M.S. Class of 2025, STP). “This collaboration is not merely a technical project but an innovative effort to digitally connect youth employment and social protection systems,” said John Van Dyck, Director of the World Bank SPL Global Practice. “It will help East African governments design sustainable and inclusive digital labor infrastructures.” Yoon Young Cho, Senior Economist at the World Bank, added, “The project seeks to digitalize social protection systems in East Africa to promote youth employment and social inclusion, focusing on building sustainable, government-led public digital solutions.” Professor Kyung-Ryul Park of KAIST stated, “Through this partnership with the World Bank, we hope to support inclusive development in East Africa while offering KAIST researchers and students valuable opportunities to learn and grow through real-world international cooperation.” #the World Bank #global center #partnership #AI #Big Data #development #strategy  Go to the original article

2025.11.05.

The Lee Jae Myung administration has placed constitutional reform as its top national policy goal. In Korean politics, constitutional debates have long centered on restructuring the political system, and today’s discussions remain similar. Yet revising the Constitution must go beyond altering power structures. Amending the 1987 Constitution, born nearly four decades ago, should serve as a forward-looking declaration that defines the nation’s governing philosophy for generations. Science and technology deserve to be central in this debate. Lee Han-joo, chairman of the Presidential Commission on Policy Planning, delivers remarks at the commission’s closing ceremony at the annex of the government complex in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Aug. 14. The commission designated constitutional reform as its top policy priority. [YONHAP] The current Constitution addresses science and technology only briefly. Article 127 states: “The State shall strive to develop the national economy by fostering innovation in science and technology, and the development of information and manpower.” This reflects the industrialization mindset of the high-growth era in the 1980s. Today, amid sweeping technological transformation, this provision no longer captures the full reality. Its shortcomings are clear. First, the Constitution subordinates science and technology to economic growth. It treats them merely as tools of industrial development. Second, it neglects the universal values that science and technology represent — values tied to human life, freedom, creativity, rationality and constitutional rights. Third, it lacks a normative basis to guide the social responsibility of science and technology. While technological change accelerates exponentially, institutions and culture evolve more slowly. This creates imbalances between innovation and society, leading to ethical conflicts, human rights disputes and clashes between technology and fundamental rights. For these reasons, a revised Constitution must redesign its treatment of science and technology. Three directions are particularly important. The first is to elevate science and technology to the level of fundamental rights and core constitutional values. British scholar Jacob Bronowski, in “The Ascent of Man” (1973), described science as the essence of questioning authority and challenging convention. Science and technology should be recognized not only as instruments of progress, but also as values that all humanity must enjoy, manifestations of creativity itself. A modern Constitution should enshrine science and technology as principles that strengthen human dignity, freedom and creativity in a democratic republic. Second, the Constitution must acknowledge and manage the dual nature of science and technology. Elevating their importance does not mean succumbing to technological determinism or blind faith in innovation. While science and technology drive growth, social development, and improved quality of life, the benefits are unevenly distributed. Artificial intelligence, for instance, exposes societies to new ethical risks. The Constitution should explicitly state the social responsibilities and public nature of science and technology, ensuring that innovation remains aligned with human dignity and fundamental rights. Third, constitutional reform must reflect the interests of future generations. Mark Carney, the current prime minister of Canada and former governor of the Bank of England, spoke of the “tragedy of the horizon,” where long-term risks like climate change are shifted onto those unable to influence present-day decisions. Today’s constitutional framework ties science and technology too narrowly to short-term growth. A revised charter should guide innovation toward sustainability and safeguard the rights of generations yet to come. The Constitution Association of Korea, an organization of former lawmakers, holds a roundtable discussion on constitutional reform with about 10 civic groups and academic societies at its office in Yeouido, western Seoul, on July 24. [CONSTITUTION ASSOCIATION OF KOREA] Embedding science and technology in the Constitution would be more than a policy statement. It would be a pledge about the future Korea seeks and the responsibilities it accepts across generations and borders. In an era where humans and nonhumans coexist, such a constitutional vision would affirm Korea’s global responsibility. At its core, science is built on the assumption that “I might be wrong.” Knowledge remains open to testing and refutation, which has driven intellectual progress. Paradigm shifts arise from questioning established systems and recognizing that complex realities cannot be reduced to binary thinking.For these reasons, the more uncertain and polarized the world becomes, the more science and technology must serve as a foundation for public debate and rational thought. They should stand as one of the strongest principles underpinning a democratic republic. Writing these values into the Constitution would not only signal Korea’s maturity as a society but also provide a steady vision amid turbulence. By placing science and technology at the heart of constitutional reform, Korea can build a framework that fosters resilience and innovation for decades to come.This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom. Go to the original article

2025.08.26.

Event Details Date: August 13, 2025 Speaker: Mr. Hee Chul Ahn, Managing Partner & Head of Policy Center, DLG Law Group Title: Policy and Legal Analysis for Enhancing International Cooperation in Science and Technology Summary of Presentation and Discussion In this G-Talks session, Attorney Hee Chul Ahn emphasized the growing importance of science and technology diplomacy and analyzed the limitations of Korea's current legal and institutional framework governing international S&T (Science and Technology) cooperation. He presented a detailed legal review of existing statutes and regulations related to international cooperation in science and technology, noting critical gaps that have emerged following the repeal of the "Regulation on the Management of National R&D Projects" and the enforcement of the new "National R&D Innovation Act". Mr. Ahn pointed out that the new legislation has led to the disappearance of key provisions concerning international collaboration in science and technology. To address this legal vacuum, he proposed the enactment of a "Framework Act on International Science and Technology Cooperation" and discussed the specific components such legislation should include. He also introduced comparative examples from the United States, the European Union, and Japan, analyzing their legal and policy frameworks for international S&T cooperation. Finally, he referred to emerging global initiatives such as the AI Action Plan, drawing policy implications for Korea's future legal reforms and international collaboration strategies. Speaker Biography Mr. Hee Chul Ahn is the Managing Partner and Head of the Policy Center at DLG Law Group, combining expertise in both science and technology and law. He earned his B.S. in Physics from POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) and his Juris Doctor from Seoul National University School of Law, and is qualified as both a lawyer and a tax accountant. Mr. Ahn also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Industrial and Management Engineering at POSTECH and as a Board Member of the Korea Business Angels Association. He provides legal advisory services and litigation representation in diverse areas, including startups, corporate and financial law, M&A, data protection, and artificial intelligence-related industries. Specializing in cross-border startup transactions, he leads Flip (outbound incorporation) and inbound/outbound M&A deals, and has authored Startup Legal Guide 3.0 and Investment Agreement Guidebook. He regularly advises organizations such as the Korea Business Angels Association, Korea Accelerator Association, Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development (KISED), and Seoul Business Agency (SBA), and lectures on M&A practices at K-M&A School.

2025.08.13.

Event Details Date: August 6, 2025 Speaker: Mr. Byung Chan Song, Senior Research Fellow, National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Title: Current Status and Policy Implications of the National R&D Research Data Management System Summary of Presentation and Discussion Dr. Song addressed the fragmentation of Korea's national research systems as a central theme and provided an overview of the current status of the National R&D Research Data Management System from a practitioner's perspective. He reviewed key developments and discussions that have taken place to date, highlighting operational challenges revealed in the implementation process. The seminar explored the policy implications of these challenges, emphasizing that future improvements should move beyond the mere technical integration of data and systems. Instead, Dr. Song argued that effective reform requires fostering data sharing and collaboration that reflect the distinct characteristics and contexts of each research system. In closing, he summarized key issues identified in research data management and system operations, offering a comprehensive analysis of practical improvement measures and policy directions to enhance efficiency and coherence within Korea's national R&D framework.

2025.08.06.

Event Details Date: May 14, 2025 Speaker: Mr. Dongmin Shin, Director, Office of International AI Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Republic of Korea Title: The Second Trump Administration's Shifts in AI Strategy and Their Implications for National Policy Summary of Presentation and Discussion Mr. Dong Min Shin provided an overview of the evolving landscape of international politics surrounding science, technology, and AI diplomacy amid intensified geopolitical competition. He discussed science, technology, and AI diplomacy amidst the international political climate, where issues such as strengthening the US-led Indo-Pacific alliance, regulation of the AI and semiconductor supply chain, and AI governance, ethics, and safety are highlighted on major international platforms. The lecture examined the innovation and supply-chain control policies of the United States, China, and Europe, as well as emerging approaches to responsible AI development. Mr. Shin discussed Korea's strategic priorities—enhancing national capacities in data, computing, AI application, strengthening Korea-U.S. and trilateral (Korea-U.S.-Japan) cooperation, and exploring strategies for Sovereign AI. The session also addressed the U.S. stance on SDG governance, the maturation of AI agendas within multilateral settings, and the need to reinforce Korea's science-and-technology diplomacy framework to remain globally competitive. Speaker Biography Mr. Shin currently serves as Director of the Office of International AI Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. Since joining the Ministry in 2008, he has held diverse diplomatic postings, including: - Korean Peninsula Peace Negotiations Division (2014 – 2016) - Permanent Mission of Korea to Vienna (2016 – 2018) - Embassy of Korea in Zimbabwe (2018 – 2020) - Consulate General in Honolulu (2022 – 2024) - Deputy Head of the Preparatory Team for the UN Plastics Treaty (2024 – 2025) Mr. Shin holds a B.A. (2005) and M.A. (2010) in International Relations from Seoul National University, and earned his Ph.D. (2015) in War Studies from King's College London.

2025.05.14.

Event Details Date: March 20, 2025 Venue: Yang Seung-Taek Auditorium, KAIST Main Campus Speaker: Dr. Anders Nordström, Former Acting Director-General, World Health Organization (WHO) Title: Global Health in Perspective and My Journey in International Organizations Summary of Presentation and Discussion Dr. Anders Nordström presented a comprehensive perspective on global health issues and the ways to strengthen collective responses. In his keynote lecture, he explored the historical evolution of health and disease, climate change, the role of policy measures, and the importance of international cooperation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Following the presentation, an engaging dialogue with KAIST students took place, marked by lively discussion and active participation that further enriched the seminar. Speaker Biography Dr. Anders Nordström currently serves as a member of the advisory boards for the Karolinska Institutet (KI) and the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE). Dr. Nordström has held several key leadership positions at the World Health Organization (WHO), including: - Acting Director-General (2006 – 2007) - Assistant Director-General for General Management (2003 – 2006) - Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Services (2007) - WHO Representative to Sierra Leone (2015 – 2017) In Sweden, Dr. Anders Nordström has held several senior leadership positions, including: - Ambassador for Global Health - Director-General of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida, 2007–2010) He later served as Head of the Secretariat of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (2020–2021), leading global efforts to evaluate and strengthen pandemic response mechanisms. As Acting Director-General of WHO, Dr. Nordström oversaw the legal establishment of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (2002). He has since served on the boards of the Global Fund, GAVI, UNAIDS, and the Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH), and has chaired numerous international task forces and policy processes. Dr. Nordström currently serves on the following boards and advisory councils: - Alliance for Health Systems Research - SUN–Lancet PRIME Commission - International Vaccine Institute (IVI) Global Expert Advisory Group - Virchow Foundation for Global Health Council

2025.03.20.

Event Details Date: February 12, 2025 Speaker: Dr. Hwa Yong Ahn, Senior Research Fellow, National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) Title: Strategies for Strengthening National R&D and Enhancing Interconnectivity in Response to Global Change Summary of Presentation and Discussion Dr. Hwa Yong Ahn presented policy directions and practical strategies to strengthen the national R&D system of Korea.  At the macro level, he emphasized: - Reinforcing collaboration among academia, research institutes, industry, government, and the military - Redefining the national R&D coordination framework - Establishing an integrated five-year plan that aligns economic, industrial, and R&D policies At the micro-level, Dr. Ahn proposed: - Reforming the Project-Based System (PBS) to foster research concentration - Simplifying project management and evaluation procedures to improve efficiency - Promoting technology commercialization - Expanding mid- to long-term international cooperation and global talent attraction Discussions also covered administrative and evaluative reforms, including: - Reducing overlapping evaluations across government-funded research institutes - Improving policies that take into account the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) - Transitioning R&D expenditure regulations toward a "negative list" approach Finally, the seminar highlighted the need to reorient R&D policy toward pragmatism and greater contribution to export-driven industries as key directions for national innovation. Speaker Biography Dr. Hwa Yong Ahn currently serves as Senior Research Fellow in the Policy Research Division at the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). He previously held several leadership positions, including Director of Policy Research, Director of Planning and Coordination, and Director-General for International Cooperation at NRF. Dr. Ahn has served as: - Visiting Research Fellow, George Washington University (2008) - Policy Advisor, Daejeon Technopark (2023) - Visiting Research Fellow, National Policy Research Institute, Chungnam National University (2024) - Member, Research System Innovation Planning Committee, Ministry of Science and ICT (2017–2018) - Member, R&D Policy Advisory Committee (2020) - Expert Member, Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology (2020) He has received multiple national honors, including commendations from the Minister of Science and Technology (2001), the Minister of Strategy and Finance (2001), and a Presidential Citation (2007) for his contributions to Korea's science and technology policy development.

2025.02.12.