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POSTECH-Developed Blockchain Technology Becomes a Global Standard

[ITU-T Adopts High-Speed Blockchain Messaging Technology “F.751.28” as an International Standard, Developed by a POSTECH-Led Korean Research Consortium] A blockchain technology led by a research team from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology), headed by Professor Hwangjun Song and Professor Chanik Park, with participation from multiple domestic research teams, including Professor Seongho Jeong’s team at the Department of Information and Communication Engineering at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS), has been officially approved as an international standard by the UN’s International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T). The standard, designated F.751.28, received final approval on December 14 (local time), marking a significant achievement in which Korean researchers established a global reference framework for blockchain services worldwide. The standardization outcome is a key result of a national R&D project titled ‘Core Technologies for Hybrid P2P Network-based Blockchain services’, conducted as part of the ‘Blockchain Technology Development Program for the Data Economy’ supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP). The five-year collaborative research project, launched in 2021, was led by POSTECH (Professors Hwangjun Song and Chanik Park) and involved six universities—Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (Professor Seong Ho Jeong), Incheon National University (Professor Giseok Park), Handong Global University (Professor Yunmin Go), Jeonbuk National University (Professor Hyunmin Noh), and Keimyung University (Professor Sejin Park)—as well as two companies, BFLabs and CPLABS. The approved standard, F.751.28, specifies a framework for fast message delivery for distributed ledger technology (DLT)-based services. It is designed to process messages required for inter-node consensus and block propagation in blockchain networks more rapidly and reliably than existing methods. Simply put, it defines a set of transmission rules that enable blockchain systems to exchange information more efficiently. In blockchain systems, multiple computers must simultaneously verify and share transaction data. When this process is delayed, overall service performance deteriorates. The newly standardized technology reduces message delivery latency through technical elements such as network monitoring and enhanced consensus mechanisms, thereby significantly improving transaction processing speed (TPS), a long-standing limitation of blockchain technology. As a result, it is regarded as a foundational technology with immediate applicability across various industries, including finance, logistics, and national authentication systems. The impact of international standard adoption is substantial. Once standardized, the technology effectively becomes a default specification for companies and institutions worldwide when developing related services. This signifies that Korean technology has secured a leading position in the global blockchain infrastructure landscape. Professor Seong Ho Jeong of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies played a key role in finalizing the standardization process by leading technical consensus discussions at the ITU-T Study Group 21 (SG21) meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland, last October. Professor Hwangjun Song of POSTECH, who served as the principal investigator, stated, “The adoption of this ITU international standard officially recognizes that our core technology can lead blockchain networking technologies worldwide.” He added, “This marks an important milestone in addressing real-time data processing challenges, which have been one of the biggest obstacles in the blockchain industry.” He further noted, “Going forward, we will continue to expand international leadership in domestic technologies and accelerate the commercialization of distributed ledger technology (DLT) services in 5G and 6G environments.”

POSTECH Professor Yo-Seb Jeon Wins 2025 IEEE ComSoc Asia-Pacific Outstanding Young Researcher Award

[Recognized for contributions to next-generation wireless communications using AI and machine learning; selected as a representative researcher from the Asia-Pacific region, including Korea, China, and Japan] Professor Yo-Seb Jeon of the Department of Electrical Engineering at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) Asia-Pacific Outstanding Young Researcher Award. He is the only researcher from Korea to receive the award among the 2024 and 2025 recipients, contributing to the enhanced international standing of Korea’s communications research. The award is presented to a small number of researchers under the age of 35 in the Asia-Pacific region who have demonstrated outstanding research achievements in the field of communications. Professor Jeon was recognized for his academic excellence and significant international contributions in the area of next-generation wireless communications based on artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML). Professor Jeon’s research focuses on effectively optimizing increasingly complex wireless channels and physical-layer designs in next-generation mobile communication environments by leveraging artificial intelligence technologies. In particular, he has proposed intelligent wireless communication models that enable large-scale data transmission and low-latency communications, which are expected to serve as a foundation for the development of 6G communications and intelligent network technologies. “I believe that research integrating AI and wireless communications will play a key role in transforming the paradigm of future communication technologies,” said Professor Jeon. “I will continue to pursue research that can make meaningful contributions to society and industry.” The award ceremony was held on December 8 in Taipei, Taiwan, during the IEEE Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM), one of the most prestigious international conferences

POSTECH Holds Capital Campaign Preview Meeting… Alumnus Dong-hoon (David) Kim Pledges KRW 3 Billion (USD 2 Million)

[Launch of the largest advancement fund campaign in university history… On-site donation pledges follow] POSTECH held the POSTECH Capital Campaign Preview Meeting on December 18 at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas. The event was organized to share the direction of the upcoming POSTECH Campaign—the largest advancement fund campaign in the university’s history—and to discuss future operational strategies ahead of its official launch. The POSTECH Capital Campaign Committee is composed of alumni, key domestic business leaders, and existing major donors. The committee is chaired by Dai-Kong Lee, Chairman of the AERIN Welfare Foundation. Approximately 20 committee members attended the meeting, along with Seong Keun Kim, President of POSTECH, Jong Kyu Kim, Executive Vice President of POSTECH, and other members of the university leadership. The POSTECH Campaign has been designed to secure the financial resources required to advance the university’s Second Founding, also referred to as POSTECH 2.0. Over the next ten years, the university plans to invest a total of KRW 1.2 trillion (approx. USD 800 million) in education, research, and infrastructure, of which KRW 200 billion (approx. USD 133 million) is expected to be raised through donations to the advancement fund. The remaining resources will be secured through internal and external sources, including KRW 400 billion (approx. USD 267 million) for the Glocal University initiative and KRW 600 billion (approx. USD 400 million) from university endowment transfers. The event also featured notable on-site donation pledges. Dong-hoon (David) Kim, an alumnus of POSTECH (Class of ’90, Department of Computer Science & Engineering), a member of the POSTECH Capital Campaign Committee and COO of Inventage Lab, pledged KRW 3 billion (approx. USD 2 million) to support the improvement of the university’s educational environment and the nurturing of future talent. The donation will be allocated to the construction of a new educational district and the (provisionally named) “Junior Project.” The Junior Project is a student-led program supporting research, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary projects, aiming to encourage students to take bold challenges beyond their major fields. Closing the event, Seong Keun Kim, President of POSTECH, said, “This was a meaningful opportunity to meet the committee members in person and hear a variety of perspectives ahead of the campaign launch. We will actively reflect the opinions shared today in the campaign operations, providing a clear vision and direction that donors can resonate with and support.” He added, “The Second Founding and this Capital Campaign will bring substantial changes across educational spaces and the entire spectrum of education and research, fundamentally transforming the future of POSTECH.”

POSTECH Successfully Concludes Joint Semiconductor Workshop with IMEC and KU Leuven

[Held on October 20–21, the workshop served as a venue for strengthening global semiconductor collaboration and promoting exchanges in next-generation device research.] POSTECH hosted a joint workshop with IMEC (Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre), the world’s leading semiconductor research institute, and its affiliated university KU-Leuven, in Leuven, Belgium, from October 20 to 21. The workshop was organized to strengthen global cooperation in semiconductor research and explore collaborative directions in next-generation semiconductors, emerging devices, and circuit design. The program was co-chaired by Prof. Jiwon Lee of POSTECH and Prof. Jan Genoe of KU Leuven and IMEC. The event consisted of three technical sessions: ▲semiconductor sensors, ▲circuit design, and ▲next-generation semiconductor devices. Researchers from all three institutions presented their latest findings. A wide range of emerging technologies was discussed, including image sensors, ECRAM-based synaptic circuits for AI and neuromorphic systems, perovskite lasers, and GaN power devices. Building on this workshop, the three institutions plan to continue discussions on identifying joint research projects, facilitating researcher exchanges, and developing new collaborative initiatives. Prof. Jiwon Lee of POSTECH remarked, “This joint workshop served as an opportunity for the three institutions to solidify their international collaboration network in semiconductors and to advance innovative technologies for future intelligent systems. We will continue to build a long-term foundation for next-generation semiconductor innovation.” The workshop was jointly organized by the POSTECH Department of Semiconductor Engineering and the Graduate School of Semiconductor Technology, and was co-supported by the KE-SRCC (Korea-EU Semiconductor R&D Cooperation Center) and the POSTECH Department of Semiconductor Engineering.

POSTECH’s “G-Techpreneur US Launch 2025” Concludes with Significant Outcomes in the United States

[Six startups secure eight cooperation agreements, including one MOU and seven NDAs, creating a springboard for global expansion of regional companies] POSTECH has successfully concluded its “G-Techpreneur US Launch 2025” program, designed to support the entry of technology-based startups from the Pohang region into the U.S. market, achieving notable outcomes. The program was jointly organized by POSTECH’s Glocal University Project Group and the Pohang Innotown(Research and Development Special Zone). Following the recruitment of participating companies in May, the initiative was operated over approximately six months through a phased, intensive support system. In the first stage, an online boot camp was conducted over 10 weeks, providing practical training focused on U.S. market entry strategies and the preparation of IR (investor relations) materials. In the second-stage mentoring program, six companies selected through the boot camp were matched one-on-one with mentors to strengthen their capabilities in identifying local customers and delivering effective pitches. In the final third stage, participants visited the United States for two weeks starting in mid-October, where they took part in IR pitching competitions and met directly with potential customers and investors to explore market entry opportunities. As a result, the six finalist companies conducted more than 60 business meetings during their U.S. activities and secured a total of eight business cooperation agreements, including one memorandum of understanding (MOU) and seven non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). Jaehun Kim, CEO of Two-N Co., Ltd., a participant in the “G-Techpreneur US Launch 2025” program, said, “Beyond learning strategies for entering the U.S. market, we came to understand the importance of trust-based networks. With POSTECH’s support, we were able to create new opportunities.” Prof. Jeong-Soo Lee, Vice President of Industry-Academic Affairs at POSTECH, remarked, “We are actively supporting regional startups so that they can leap onto the global stage. Through programs such as ‘G-Techpreneur US Launch,’ we will continue to do our utmost to strengthen the global competitiveness of local companies.” Meanwhile, participating companies achieved a range of collaborative outcomes during their U.S. visit. Two-N Co., Ltd. held discussions with global water treatment company ‘Veolia’ and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection on participating in U.S. public projects, and is preparing joint research with Florida Polytechnic University. Celloid Co., Ltd. signed NDAs with ‘Rooster Bio’ and ‘Ricoh Biosciences’, and is expanding collaboration with institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Medical School. In addition, Iomtek Co., Ltd. signed an MOU with the St. Louis-based nonprofit organization ‘Promise For All’ for a local greenhouse pilot demonstration, and concluded an NDA with ‘DeltaOne’ as part of efforts to enter the U.S. Department of Defense procurement network. H.MedicGear Co., Ltd. signed an NDA with ‘BeaconOne’, a U.S.-based consultancy specializing in insurance reimbursement strategies, and is discussing technology collaboration with ‘Optosurgical’ and others. BlueCaBorn Co., Ltd. concluded an NDA with ‘Carbon Solution’, a company specializing in carbon removal analysis, and is in discussions with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on joint precision analysis initiatives. Eta Electronics Co., Ltd. also signed an NDA with ‘Enerytics’ to explore technology synergy partnerships.

POSTECH Featured in the Nature Index Young Universities Special article as One of the Four Leading Young Universities

“Four young universities share their strategies for success” 🔗 Read the full story (Nature Index Young Universities 2025) https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03951-3 POSTECH was featured as one of the four leading young universities worldwide in the Nature Index Young Universities special article (December 11, 2025). The article hightlights POSTECH’s POSTECH 2.0 vision, AI-native university vision, and strong industry collaboration as key elements shaping its growing global research and education impact.

POSTECH Highlights Its Talent-Driven Research Strategy Leading “POSTECH 2.0,” Featured in the Nature Index

“The researchers pushing boundaries in quantum and brain science” 🔗 Read the full article (Nature Index Young Universities 2025) https://www.nature.com/articles/d42473-025-00312-6 This article was published in the Nature Index Young Universities special article (December 11, 2025). It highlights how POSTECH, under the POSTECH 2.0 vision, is leading the future of science by recruiting world-class researchers. Professors Youngjoon Choi and Luke Lee, both of whom recently joined POSTECH, exemplify this approach. Professor Choi conducts research on graphene-based quantum computing, while Professor Lee leads neuroscience research based on brain waves and sound. Their work illustrates the direction and potential of POSTECH’s talent-driven research strategy. ※ Branded content published in collaboration with Springer Nature

POSTECH Graduate Student Joohoon Kim Becomes the First Korean Graduate Student Selected as a “World’s Top 2% Scientist”

A young researcher from POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) who is making his mark on the global stage has been named among the “World’s Top 2% Scientists,” garnering significant attention from the academic community. Joohoon Kim, an integrated M.S.-Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at POSTECH (supervised by Professor Junsuk Rho), has been included in this year’s list of the World’s Top 2% Scientists. This marks the first time that a Korean graduate student has been selected for this prestigious list. The World’s Top 2% Scientists list is compiled by analyzing Elsevier’s Scopus data, conducted by a research team at Stanford University. The evaluation is based on six key indicators, including total citations, h-index, co-authorship–adjusted hm-index, and citations of single-authored and corresponding-authored papers. The list is recognized for its high credibility and is used by QS and THE World University Rankings, OECD national competitiveness analyses, and research performance indicators by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The list is announced annually in two categories: career-long impact and single-year impact. At POSTECH, 98 researchers were selected for the career-long category and 91 for the single-year category this year. Joohoon Kim has been drawing significant academic attention for developing large-scale metasurface manufacturing technology based on nanoimprint processes. His work with Professor Junsuk Rho successfully demonstrated mass production of metasurfaces operating in the visible spectrum. Within just two years, the research has been cited more than 200 times and is regarded as a key foundational technology for the commercialization of next-generation metasurfaces. He has further enhanced his global recognition by publishing as a lead author in journals such as Nature Materials, Nature Nanotechnology, and Nature Food. Kim shared his thoughts on the recognition: “Being selected is meaningful not only as a personal honor but also as global acknowledgment of the research capabilities of our lab and POSTECH. I will continue advancing research to ensure that metasurfaces create tangible societal and industrial value.”

POSTECH Graduate Student Jihwan Lee Wins Best Paper Award at ISAP 2025

[Rare Achievement as a Student Winner in the General Category of One of the World’s Top Three Antenna Conferences] [Professor Wonbin Hong’s Team Celebrates Second Consecutive Win] Jihwan Lee, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Electrical Engineering at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) under the supervision of Professor Wonbin Hong, received the Best Paper Award in the Propagation category at the 2025 International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation (ISAP) on October 27. ISAP is one of the world’s top three international conferences in antennas and propagation, and the most prestigious in the Asia-Pacific region. This year, outstanding papers were selected from approximately 1,100 submissions worldwide. Remarkably, Lee was awarded in the general category, not the student category—a rare accomplishment that demonstrates the global recognition of the excellence and originality of his research. His award-winning paper, titled “Inverse-Designed Holographic Surfaces for Multi-Focus Spatial Beamforming with Flexible Focal Region and Polarization Control,” presents a novel inverse-design antenna method that precisely focuses electromagnetic energy based on user location using the time-reversal symmetry principles of electromagnetic waves. In simpler terms, the research implements an “antenna inverse-design technology” that calculates the propagation path backward to deliver signals exactly where needed. The study shows promising potential for applications in next-generation communications, radar, and wireless power transfer by enabling simultaneous and flexible control of wavefront shape and polarization (the direction of wave oscillation). It also offers new insights into beam focusing principles in the near-field region, broadening the theoretical foundation for related research. Professor Wonbin Hong, Lee’s advisor, commented, “It is deeply meaningful for our research team to receive the ISAP Best Paper Award for the second consecutive year. We will continue to lead the development of innovative technologies that can contribute to industry and society.”

POSTECH and UChicago Forge Global Research Collaboration

[First POSTECH-UChicago Joint Symposium held at the University of Chicago, October 13–14] [Research exchange in Synthetic Biology, 2D Materials and Physics, and Biomedical Technology; laying the foundation for a global collaborative network] POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) and the University of Chicago (UChicago) co-hosted the inaugural POSTECH-UChicago Joint Symposium at UChicago on October 13–14. The symposium focused on three key areas—Synthetic Biology, 2D Materials and Physics, and Biomedical Technology—with approximately 20 researchers from both universities sharing their latest findings. The program also included laboratory visits and a networking dinner, fostering closer interaction among participants. In addition to the symposium, the “POSTECH–UChicago Presidents’ Meeting” was held on October 14. POSTECH President Seong Keun Kim and UChicago President Paul Alivisatos discussed ways to institutionalize academic exchanges, expand student and faculty mobility, and advance joint research initiatives. Both universities reaffirmed their commitment to exploring diverse opportunities for collaboration. They also agreed to continue long-term engagement and seek new partnership opportunities across various fields. This symposium marks an important milestone for POSTECH in expanding its global collaboration network with world-leading research universities. Looking ahead, POSTECH also plans to pursue new partnerships with leading U.S. research institutions such as UChicago-affiliated Fermilab to further strengthen its competitiveness in particle physics and other frontier research areas.