Dr. Jeon-Wook Cho (Chief Researcher) of the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) Power Cable Research Center has been elected as the next chairman of the International Superconductivity Industries Summit (ISIS). This is the first case in Korea.

Established in 1992, ISIS is an authoritative global consultative body where representatives from countries leading the superconductivity field gather every year to set the direction of technology exchange and R&D. In the early days of its establishment, the United States, Europe, and Japan were at the center, and Korea started as an observer in 2003 and became a full member in 2010. Since then, Korea has hosted ISIS in 2011 (the 20th) and 2023 (the 30th), respectively, thereby publicizing its high level of superconductivity technology and solidifying its international status.

Dr. Cho Jeon-wook joined KERI in 1990 and is considered an authority who has greatly improved the level of domestic superconducting cable technology over the past 35 years.

Superconducting cables are a next-generation, eco-friendly power transmission system that can transmit large amounts of electricity with high efficiency even at low voltages.

Dr. Cho has received many awards for his contributions to the development of the world's best large-capacity superconducting cables and leading the way in international standards, including the 'KERI Grand Prize' and the '21st Dasan Technology Award' (2012), selection as one of the '100 Future Technology Leaders Leading Korean Industries' by the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (2013), and the 'Science and Technology Award' commemorating the 47th Science Day (2014).

Dr. Cho has been serving his term as the president of the 'Korea Superconductivity Industry Association', which represents the superconductivity industry in Korea, since 2023. In particular, he was recognized for his ability by successfully leading the 30th ISIS held in Daejeon in October 2023, and based on this, he was elected as the next president to lead ISIS starting next year. The term is from the 33rd ISIS in 2026 to the 35th ISIS in 2028.

Dr. Cho Jeon-wook of KERI said, “I am very pleased to have been elected as the honorable next chairman of ISIS, and I feel that our country’s superconductivity industry technology is being recognized internationally.” He added, “Not only will I contribute to the development of the Korean superconductivity industry, but as the next chairman of ISIS, I will further expand the member countries, strengthen international cooperation, and collect opinions to develop a strategic roadmap for the commercialization of superconductivity.”

Meanwhile, KERI is a government-funded research institute affiliated with the National Research Council of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Science and ICT. Korea began full-scale superconducting technology development in 2001 with the Frontier Project, and currently has the world's best superconducting cable commercial technology. Based on these achievements, various organizations and research teams are promoting the advancement of superconducting technology, and in particular, the Prism Research Group is leading the global market by leading innovation in various application fields such as energy, medicine, and transportation with the goal of commercializing and mass producing superconducting magnet technology.