Kim Nam-gyun, president of the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI), declared a ‘power sprint’ in the era of electrification.

The Korea Electric Power Research Institute held a ceremony on the 5th and presented its vision for the new year to lead the electrification era.

In his New Year's address, President Kim Nam-gyun presented AI-based research innovation, response to large-scale national projects, and strengthening open cooperation as key strategies, declaring, "2025 will be the year KERI prepares for an even stronger leap forward as a national leader in electrical technology."

President Kim stated, “Last year was a year of change when AI shook up industry and society as a whole,” and added, “KERI will also expand the use of AI across the board, including the introduction of the ‘KERI Chatbot Service’ based on ChatGPT, to strengthen research efficiency and technological competitiveness.”

He also emphasized that the role and responsibility of the researcher are growing as many of the "15 Major Projects for the Super-Innovative Economy" being promoted by the government are directly linked to KERI's core research areas.

In particular, SiC power semiconductors, next-generation power grids, graphene, offshore wind power and HVDC, superconductors, and green hydrogen are areas where KERI has strengths, and President Kim emphasized that “the research institute must be the central axis in completing national tasks.”

This year is KERI It is also the 50th anniversary of its establishment.

President Kim said, “Just as we have laid the foundation for Korea’s electrical technology over the past 50 years, we will also focus on creating large-scale results for the people for the next 50 years,” and presented three major directions for promotion: △creating results that the people can feel, △achieving 100% of the technological perfection required by the industry, and △accelerating innovation based on openness and cooperation.

He emphasized, “KERI’s strength comes from the trust of the people,” and “Let’s shine the Republic of Korea with unstoppable power like the Year of the Red Horse.”

The ceremony also featured awards for researchers and teams that achieved outstanding results throughout 2025.

The 'KERI Person of the Year Award' went to Kim Hong-ju, Director of the Precision Control Research Center, who laid the foundation for the localization of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology, a long-awaited goal for the domestic machine tool industry.

In a situation where more than 90% of domestic CNCs depend on Japanese and German products, Director Kim was evaluated to have laid the foundation for technological independence by successfully completing the 'AI-integrated CNC demonstration test bed construction project' worth 31.1 billion won.

The best team awards were given to the following teams: △ Advanced Convergence Insulation Packaging Material Research Team, △ AC/DC Hybrid Distribution Network Operation System Development Team, △ Charging System Global Interoperability Evaluation Base Construction Team, and △ KERI Website Complete Redesign Team.

The Excellence Awards went to the following teams: △Offshore Wind Power Grid Core Equipment Development Team, △AI CNC Demonstration Center Construction Team, △Intelligent IC Development Team for Wide Bandgap Smart Power Modules, △All-Solid-State Battery Manufacturing Process Technology Development Team, △KERI STL Member Lab Expansion Team, and △'Smartest KERI People' Promotion Team.

KERI is a government-funded research institute specializing in electricity under the National Research Council of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Science and ICT.;We are conducting core research to strengthen domestic industrial competitiveness in the field of electrical technology.

As electrification, AI, and the transition to eco-friendly energy accelerate, attention is focused on how KERI's actions this year will impact the nation's technological competitiveness.