Korean Academy of Science and Technology

What Korean Academy of Science and Technology does

The Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST, 한국과학기술한림원) is a private non-profit honorary academy established in 1994 and headquartered at KAST Hall in Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It functions as a fellowship of distinguished Korean scientists and engineers, including Nobel laureates, and is led by representative Jeong Jin-ho (정진호) with Kim Bong-su (김봉수) serving as Secretary General. The organization operates with a small administrative staff of approximately 30 employees and is structured around a membership-based model funded through membership contributions and government support rather than commercial revenue.

KAST's primary activities span science and technology policy research, talent cultivation, and international scientific cooperation. Its core programmatic offerings include the Hallimwon Debate Sessions (한림원탁토론회) and Hallimwon Scholar Lectures (한림석학강연) for policy discussion and public education; the Issue Report (이슈리포트) and Next Generation Report (차세대리포트) publication series covering topics such as AI applications, Small Modular Reactors, and R&D policy; the Young Korean Academy of Science and Technology (YKAST) for emerging scientist development; and operations support for the Asia Academy of Sciences (AASSA) and Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting selections. The academy also runs several government-supported centers including the National Life Safety Comprehensive Support Center, the National Science Challenge Cooperation Support Team, and the Basic Science Networking Center.

KAST does not operate as a commercial entity; it has no disclosed pricing model, no paying customer base, and no external investors. Its competitive position rests on its statutory role as Korea's premier scientific honorary academy, brand equity built over 30 years, and the talent density of its membership. Recent strategic activity has emphasized policy research output (three major publications in 2026), international engagement (Nobel Prize Dialogue Seoul 2026, Lindau selections, AASSA), and selective vertical expansion into applied domains such as AI, defense, and energy policy.

Name

Korean Academy of Science and Technology

Legal name

한국과학기술한림원 (The Korean Academy of Science and Technology)

Website

https://kast.or.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Korean Academy of Science and Technology (KAST) is a non-profit honorary academy founded in 1994, serving as Korea's premier fellowship of distinguished scientists and engineers and operating science policy research, international cooperation, and talent development programs with ~30 staff.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seongnam-si (성남시)

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KAST is an honorary national academy of distinguished scientists and engineers that conducts science and technology policy research, publishes Issue Reports and Next Generation Reports, and hosts expert debates and public lectures. It manages talent development programs such as YKAST (Young Korean Academy of Science and Technology) and selects young Korean scientists for the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting. The organization also operates support units focused on national science challenges, basic science networking, and national life safety, and provides policy advisory services to the Korean government and National Assembly.

Product overview

The Korean Academy of Science and Technology (한국과학기술한림원) is a national academic institution that operates as a fellowship of distinguished scientists. Its primary offerings include research publications such as 이슈리포트 (Issue Reports) covering AI applications and technology policy, and 차세대리포트 (Next Generation Reports) focusing on future technologies like SMR and nuclear fusion. The academy also organizes 한림원탁토론회 (Debate Sessions) for science policy discussions and 한림석학강연 (Scholar Lectures) for public education. Related organizations include 한국차세대과학기술한림원 (YKAST) for young scientists and a science contributors recognition program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Issue Report (이슈리포트) Research reports published by KAST covering science and technology policy topics, including analysis of AI applications in various sectors, R&D innovation strategies, and technology trends. Targeted at policymakers, researchers, and the broader scientific community.
• Next Generation Report (차세대리포트) Research reports focused on future science and technology trends, including energy solutions such as Small Modular Reactors (SMR), nuclear technology, and AI applications in energy sectors. Targeted at policymakers, energy researchers, and industry stakeholders.
• Hanrimwon Round Table Discussions (한림원탁토론회) Regular expert discussion forums organized by KAST on science and technology policy topics, featuring academic presentations and policy debates. Targeted at members, policymakers, and the scientific community.
• Hanrimwon Scholar Lectures (한림석학강연) Public lectures featuring distinguished KAST scholars on science and technology topics, aimed at knowledge sharing, public engagement, and youth education.
• YKAST - Young Korean Academy of Science and Technology (한국차세대과학기술한림원) A separate academy under KAST focused on nurturing young scientific talent, providing mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities for next-generation scientists and engineers.
• Science and Technology Contributors Recognition Program (과학기술유공자 예우 및 지원사업) Programs to honor and support outstanding contributors to science and technology, including awards and recognition ceremonies such as the Amgen KAST Life Science Award.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AASSA (Asia Academy of Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAST operates and manages AASSA, the Asia Academy of Sciences, which serves as a regional network for scientific cooperation across Asian countries. KAST provides administrative support and leadership for this regional scientific organization.
• Lindau Nobel Laureate MeetingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAST selects and supports young Korean female scientists to participate in the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, providing international exposure and networking opportunities with Nobel laureates. Three talented women scientists were selected for this prestigious program.
• National Science Challenge Cooperation Support Team (과학난제도전 협력지원단)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAST operates this support unit focused on addressing national science challenges through collaborative research and policy initiatives. The team works on solving critical issues in Korea's science and technology ecosystem.
• Basic Science Networking Center (기초과학네트워킹센터)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAST operates this center to promote networking and collaboration among basic science researchers. The center facilitates communication and joint research initiatives in fundamental science disciplines.
• National Life Safety Comprehensive Support Center (국민생활안전종합지원단)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAST operates this government-supported center focused on national life safety initiatives. The center develops comprehensive safety policies and support programs for public welfare.
• Y-KAST (Young Korean Academy of Science and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAST manages Y-KAST as its youth division, nurturing the next generation of Korean scientists and engineers. The organization supports young researchers through mentorship, networking, and professional development programs.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI): Korean government-affiliated think tank conducting S&T policy research and foresight. Adjacent rather than directly competitive with KAST, but operates in the same Korean S&T policy ecosystem and produces comparable research outputs.
• National Research Foundation of Korea: Korea's primary S&T funding agency supporting basic research, postdoctoral fellowships, and international cooperation. Ecosystem participant that funds and interfaces with many KAST member activities, comparable in policy ecosystem role though not in honorary membership function.

Direct peers

• Royal Society: UK's national academy of sciences with elected fellowship and government advisory role. Comparable to KAST as an honorary scientific academy providing policy advice, international exchange, and recognition programs for distinguished scientists.
• Australian Academy of Science: Australia's national science academy providing policy advice and supporting early- and mid-career researchers. Comparable to KAST in its elected fellowship structure and focus on S&T policy advice to government.
• Indian National Science Academy: India's premier scientific academy of elected fellows providing S&T policy advice to the government. Comparable to KAST in membership model (elected fellows), policy advisory function, and role in international scientific unions.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences: China's flagship national scientific institution with an academy component that advises government on science and technology policy. Comparable to KAST as the most prestigious scientific body in its country, with international cooperation and member recognition functions.
• National Academy of Sciences (US): Honorary national scientific academy chartered by the U.S. Congress to advise government on science policy. Directly comparable to KAST in mission (distinguished membership, policy advice, international cooperation) and structure (honorary fellows, consensus studies, foreign secretary role).
• Science Council of Japan: Japan's national academy representing the scientific community, advising the Prime Minister and government on S&T policy. Closely comparable to KAST as an East Asian national honorary academy with policy advisory, international cooperation, and talent cultivation roles.
• National Academy of Sciences of Korea (NAS Korea / Korean Academy of Sciences): A separate domestic Korean scientific academy that shares KAST's honorary society role for Korean scientists. Direct peer within Korea, with overlapping membership pool and similar policy advisory mandate to government.

Broad incumbents

• Max Planck Society: Germany's leading basic-research organization operating a network of institutes, with an associated scientific member community (Max-Planck-Senate) that performs academy-like functions. Broader scope than KAST but relevant as a German counterpart combining elite membership with international science policy influence.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCPXHGG6cfvqVGWEkIp17B7A
• Facebookfacebook.com/kastnews
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/korean-academy-of-science-and-technology

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Korean Academy of Science and Technology