The Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS, President Lee Jeong-hwan), a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT, is holding a 'Materials, Parts, and Equipment Popularization Contest' to actively promote the importance of the materials industry both domestically and internationally as a representative hub and leader institution for materials, parts, and equipment (hereinafter referred to as materials, parts, and equipment).

This contest is divided into three categories: an 'Emblem' section symbolizing the materials, parts, and equipment (Sobujang); a 'Calligraphy' section featuring images of phrases highlighting the importance of the industry; and a 'Photography' section targeting photos related to the industry and daily life.

Applications for the contest will be accepted through the KIMS science popularization website 'SangSang Homepage (sangsang.kims.re.kr)' for a total of four weeks, starting from June 14 to July 9.

Awards will be given to one person (or team) for the Grand Prize, who will receive a certificate and 1 million won in prize money; two people (or two teams) for the Excellence Prize, who will receive a certificate and 500,000 won each; and five people (or five teams) for the Encouragement Prize, who will receive a certificate and 200,000 won each.

The Korea Institute of Materials Science plans to actively utilize the winning entries in the production of institutional content, promotional materials related to materials, parts, and equipment, and various documents. It also intends to actively promote and share them by informing relevant government ministries and external related organizations so that they can be utilized.

Lee Jeong-hwan, President of the Korea Institute of Materials Science, said, “Through the recent export restrictions by Japan, the entire nation came to understand the importance of the materials industry,” adding, “I hope this contest will be an opportunity for the public to get closer to materials and better empathize with the importance of materials technology.”

For inquiries regarding the Popularization Contest for Materials, Parts, and Equipment, please contact the External Relations Office of KIMS (jjh21@kims.re.kr).