History
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) was established in 1966 under the auspices of Korean and US governments. The mission of KIST was to assume a central role as the first comprehensive research agency for the promotion of the nation’s economic growth and the modernization of engineering fields. It has since developed into the foremost R&D organization and the foundation of technological development in Korea. By concentrating on urgently needed technological development during the early stages of Korea’s industrialization, KIST contributed to the modernization of industry and helped push ahead a period of rapid, remarkable economic growth for Korea. In addition, over the years KIST has produced a pool of premier S&T talent and spun-off numerous specialized research institutes. These accomplishments have guaranteed its continued role as Korea’s leading S&T institute.
| May 18, 1965 | Presidents of Korea and the U.S. issue joint statements on founding a Korean industrial technology and applied sciences research institute |
| Feb. 10, 1966 | KIST is founded and formally registered |
| Oct. 23, 1969 | Building completion ceremony is held for the opening of KIST |
| Feb. 1971 | Korea’s first desktop and pocket-size calculators are developed |
| Nov. 23, 1971 | Korea’s first U.S. patent registration is filed |
| Jul. 20, 1972 | Korea’s first color TV is developed |
| Oct. 13, 1975 | Sejong No. 1, the first nationally developed mini-computer, begins operating |
| Jan. 5, 1981 | KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) is established by integrating KIST and KAIS (Korea Advanced Institute of Science) |
| Apr. 1985 | Aramid fibers are developed to replace asbestos and technology is transferred to KOLON |
| Sep. 1988 | Doping tests are conducted at the ’88 Seoul Olympic Games by the KIST Doping Control Center |
| Jun. 12, 1989 | Separates from KAIST and is re-established as KIST (Korea Institute of Science and Technology) |
| Feb. 16, 1996 | KIST Europe is established |
| Jan. 29, 1999 | Becomes a member of the Korea Research Council of Fundamental Science and Technology (KRCF) under the Office of the Prime Minister |
| Jul. 30, 1999 | Centaur, Korea’s first humanoid robot, is created |
| Oct. 10, 2001 | Inauguration ceremony is held for the KIST International R&D Academy (IRDA) |
| May 1, 2003 | KIST Gangneung is established |
| Dec. 24, 2003 | KIST Linux cluster supercomputer begins operating |
| Sep. 23, 2004 | Is reassigned as a member of KRCF under the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology |
| Dec. 28, 2005 | Becomes Korea’s first S&T institute to install the 900 MHz NMR system |
| Nov. 4, 2006 | Dr. Hee-sup Shin is named Korea’s first National Honor Scientist |
| Jan. 1, 2008 | KIST Jeonbuk is established |
| Sep. 16, 2009 | Becomes the world’s first institute to develop spin-transistor technology (core of the next-generation semiconductor industry) |
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