Dr. Bang Wook of the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) received the Order of Science and Technology for his contribution to improving the competitiveness of next-generation power semiconductor technology and expanding its base.

The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute announced that Dr. Bang Wook, Dr. Park Jun-woo, Dr. Bae Young-min, and Dr. Cha Seung-il were selected as those who have contributed to the promotion of science and technology at the '2025 Science and Information and Communication Day Government Awards' held at the Korea Science and Technology Hall on the 21st, receiving the 'Science and Technology Medal of Innovation,' the 'Presidential Citation,' and the 'Minister of Science and ICT Award,' respectively.

Dr. Bang Wook of KERI's Power Semiconductor Research Group received the Order of Science and Technology Innovation for his contribution to improving technological competitiveness in the power semiconductor field, which was virtually a wasteland in Korea for the past 35 years.

In particular, the company developed 'silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors', which contribute to improving the electric vehicle's fuel efficiency by 10%, becoming the third company in the world after Germany and Japan to do so, and contributed greatly to expanding the technology base by leading the establishment of a dedicated laboratory (Fabrication Laboratory) and commercialization.

The total amount of technology transfer performance amounts to 2.86 billion won.

In addition, Dr. Bang Wook is currently serving as the president of the domestic 'SiC Research Association' and is leading research on power semiconductors centered on SiC materials.


Dr. Park Jun-woo of the Next Generation Battery Research Center received the Presidential Citation in recognition of his contributions to the development of innovative technologies and creation of large-scale technology transfers in the field of next-generation secondary batteries.

Dr. Park Jun-woo has developed several technologies to overcome the difficulties that were preventing the commercialization of 'all-solid-state batteries' with extremely low risk of fire and explosion and 'lithium-sulfur batteries' that are lightweight and long-lasting, and has achieved many achievements, including publishing 64 SCI-level papers in the field and holding 115 registered and applied for patents domestically and internationally. The total amount of the corporate technology transfer contract is 2.5 billion won.

Dr. Bae Young-min of the Electromedical Device Research Group received the Minister's Award for his contribution to securing numerous intellectual property rights in the fields of optical convergence medicine and bio-imaging, including medical endoscopes.

In particular, in the field of digestive endoscopes, where Japan holds over 90% of the market, we have taken steps to domestically produce key components, and have also supported the establishment of technology start-ups for commercialization, making a significant contribution to expanding the technology base in related fields.

Dr. Seung-il Cha of the Electric Conversion Materials Research Center received the Minister's Award for his contribution to the expansion of renewable energy applications through the development of solar power generation technology suitable for urban environments.

It is evaluated that the problem of shadows on some solar modules due to urban structures, which reduces efficiency and safety, has been solved, and the usability of solar modules has been greatly increased by securing flexibility that is possible like origami.

Meanwhile, KERI is a government-funded research institute under the National Research Council of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Science and ICT. The 'Government Award in Commemoration of Science and ICT Day' is held every year at the end of April to reward those who have contributed to the promotion of science and technology and ICT, thereby enhancing the pride and honor of scientists and ICT professionals, and to present a vision for the future of science and digital technology in the Republic of Korea.