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Pukyong National University Research Team Publishes Food-Biomedical Engineering Convergence Study in Top 1% International Journal― Professor Young-Mok Kim’s Team Develops Eco-Friendly Antimicrobial Platform Based on Marine-Derived Natural Materials, Opening New Possibilities for Food Safety and Biohealth Applications Professor Young-Mok Kim’s research team in the Division of Food Science and Biotechnology at Pukyong National University has developed an eco-friendly antimicrobial platform technology based on marine-derived biosurfactants. The research was published in Ultrasonics Sonochemistry (2025 Impact Factor: 10.2), a globally renowned international journal ranked in the top 1.2% of the Journal Citation Reports (JCR). The research team developed a nanoemulsion platform that simultaneously delivers emulsion stability and antimicrobial functionality by utilizing natural biosurfactants produced by microorganisms isolated from the marine environment. Conventional nanoemulsions have relied on surfactants primarily to stabilize emulsions. In this study, however, the researchers designed the biosurfactant itself to perform both interfacial stabilization and antibacterial functions, successfully creating a next-generation eco-friendly antimicrobial platform that combines high stability with enhanced functionality. The study was conducted jointly by Dr. Geum-Jae Jeong of the Marine Bionics Convergence Technology Center, the first author of the paper, Professor Young-Mok Kim and Professor Won-Kyo Jung of the Division of Biomedical Engineering at Pukyong National University, along with researchers from the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea and the Korea Food Research Institute. The findings were published in the paper, ‘Novel Biosurfactant-Stabilized Nanoemulsions Integrating Interfacial Stabilization and Antibacterial Activity for Safe Surface Disinfection.’ The study is regarded as significant for demonstrating the potential to expand the applications of marine-derived biomaterials beyond food safety to the fields of biohealth and living environments. In particular, collaborative research with specialized domestic institutions, including the National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea and the Korea Food Research Institute, further enhanced the potential for the industrial application and practical commercialization of marine-derived biomaterials. Professor Young-Mok Kim has been consecutively named to the World’s Top 2% Scientists list, jointly announced by Elsevier and Stanford University, since 2024. He continues to conduct research on the development of antimicrobial and antibiofilm materials using marine-derived biomaterials, as well as their applications in the fields of food safety and biohealth. Meanwhile, the study was supported by the Priority Research Institute Program and the Basic Research Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF).
대외홍보센터 (2026-07-20)COUNT 28Pukyong National University Researchers Board Icebreaker Araon to Launch Full-Scale Studies on Arctic Climate Change and Shipping Routes― Arctic Ocean and Atmospheric Observations Conducted with Support from the G-LAMP Project Group and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries― Monitoring Sea-Ice Changes and Greenhouse Gases to Support Climate-Change Responses and Establish a Foundation for the Use of Arctic Shipping Routes Researchers from Pukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae) will embark aboard the icebreaking research vessel Araon to conduct studies on Arctic climate change and carry out oceanic and atmospheric observations. Supported by the university’s G-LAMP Project Group and the Polar Open Innovation Program of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the expedition is expected to play an important role in advancing understanding of the rapidly changing Arctic environment and establishing the scientific foundation needed for the future development and use of Arctic shipping routes. According to the 2026 Arctic Voyage Master Schedule released by the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI), an affiliated institute of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), the Araon will depart from Incheon Port on July 11 and conduct research surveys in the Arctic Ocean for a total of 83 days before returning to Gwangyang Port on October 2. Pukyong National University researchers will participate in the first leg, from July 22 to August 23, and the second leg, from August 23 to September 19, conducting oceanic and atmospheric observations and greenhouse gas monitoring, respectively. During the first leg of the expedition, researchers Ik-Jun Hwang and Geun-Young Kim from the research team led by Professor Woo-Seok Moon of the Major of Environmental Atmospheric Sciences will board the vessel. The team plans to install an Ice Mass Balance Buoy (IMB) on Arctic sea ice to conduct long-term observations of changes in sea-ice thickness and temperature. They will also use radiosondes to carry out upper-atmospheric observations and analyze the structure and changes of the Arctic atmosphere. Through this work, the researchers aim to identify the causes of Arctic climate change and clarify interactions between the atmosphere and ocean, while securing fundamental data needed to predict environmental changes affecting Arctic shipping routes. During the second leg, Professor Dong-Heon Lee, researcher Gwan-Ho Kim, and Dr. Young-Seok Jung of the Department of Oceanography will join the expedition. The team will monitor greenhouse gases, including methane, that may be released from subsea permafrost in the Arctic and investigate changes in the carbon cycle caused by climate change. Because Arctic permafrost is known to store vast amounts of carbon, whether it releases greenhouse gases is considered one of the key factors that could determine the future pace of global warming. The expedition is significant not only for advancing understanding of the mechanisms driving Arctic climate change, but also for securing sea-ice and weather data in preparation for the expanded use of Arctic shipping routes. The field observation data are expected to improve the accuracy of climate models and serve as scientific evidence for the safe navigation of Arctic shipping routes and the development of future polar policies. The G-LAMP Project Group at Pukyong National University actively supports polar field research to strengthen the global research capabilities of graduate students and early-career researchers. Through their participation in the Araon expedition, students and researchers will conduct observations and experiments firsthand at a world-class polar research site, while building their capacity for international collaborative research. Professor Woo-Seok Moon said, “The Arctic is one of the regions where climate change is progressing most rapidly, and field observation data are essential for improving the accuracy of climate-change predictions. We hope that the data collected through this expedition will provide an important scientific foundation not only for Arctic climate-change research, but also for the future use of Arctic shipping routes and the development of polar policies.” Meanwhile, the Araon, commissioned in 2009, is Korea’s first icebreaking research vessel. Operating between the Antarctic and Arctic regions, it conducts polar research across a wide range of fields, including the ocean, atmosphere, cryosphere, and ecosystems. During its 2026 Arctic expedition, the vessel will also collaborate with domestic and international research institutions to conduct diverse studies aimed at identifying the rapidly changing Arctic environment and the mechanisms of climate change.
Pukyong National University, Hosts ‘Korea Oceans and Fisheries Grand Forum 2026’― “Completing Korea’s Maritime Capital Region Is the Nation’s Future!”―Presenting a Future Vision for Korea’s Oceans and Fisheries― Government, Local Authorities, Industry, and Academia to Gather at Pukyong National University on July 8― Busan Mayor and Other Leaders to Discuss the Arctic Shipping Route Era and Strategies for the Maritime Capital RegionPukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae) hosted the Korea Oceans and Fisheries Grand Forum 2026 at Pukyong Convention Hall on the afternoon of July 8. Held under the slogan, “Completing Korea’s Maritime Capital Region Is the Nation’s Future!”, the forum brought together representatives from the central government, local governments, public institutions in the oceans and fisheries sector, industry, and academia to explore future growth strategies and avenues for cooperation in Korea’s oceans and fisheries sector. Against the backdrop of a rapidly changing environment―including the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, the full-scale opening of the Arctic shipping route era, and the AI-driven transformation of the oceans and fisheries sector―the event proposed a national-level cooperation platform model linking policy, industry, research and development (R&D), and talent development. At the forum, Busan Mayor Jae-Soo Jeon, together with representatives from the Busan Metropolitan Government, the central government, and major institutions and organizations in the oceans and fisheries sector, shared a vision for establishing the maritime capital region and strengthening Korea’s competitiveness in oceans and fisheries. Under the theme “Completing Korea’s Maritime Capital Region Is the Nation’s Future!”, participants joined a future maritime vision performance and declared a new leap forward for Korea’s oceans and fisheries sector. In the keynote address, Tae-Yoo Kim, professor emeritus at Seoul National University, spoke on the theme “Opening the Era of the Maritime Capital Region as a Hub for Arctic Shipping Routes.” He outlined how the development of Arctic shipping routes could reshape the global logistics landscape and explained why Korea should establish a new axis of growth centered on the maritime capital region. The special dialogue that followed brought together experts in the oceans and fisheries sector to discuss future strategies under the theme “Completing Korea’s Maritime Capital Region Is the Nation’s Future!” The session was moderated by Myung-Shin Ha, Vice President for External Affairs at Pukyong National University. Panelists included Jong-Deok Kim, Chairman of the Korea Fisheries Resources Agency; Jae-Yul Park, Representative of the Busan Development Council for the Maritime Capital; Byung-Gil Ahn, President of the Korea Ocean Business Corporation; and Hee-Seung Lee, President of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology. They held in-depth discussions on sustainable development strategies for Korea’s oceans and fisheries, including responses to the Arctic shipping route era, ways to enhance the competitiveness of maritime industries, strategies for establishing the maritime capital region, industry？academia？research cooperation, and the cultivation of future talent. President Sang-Hoon Bae of Pukyong National University said, “The relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan and the opening of the Arctic shipping route era mark a historic turning point in which Korea’s future growth axis is expanding toward the ocean and regional communities. We hope this forum will present a new vision for Korea’s oceans and fisheries and serve as a starting point for connecting policy, industry, research, and talent development to complete a globally competitive maritime capital region.” Earlier that morning, Pukyong National University also held the Interdisciplinary Seminar on Oceans and Fisheries, joined by seven of its colleges. Experts from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Business Administration discussed “Future Strategies for Arctic Shipping Routes and the Port of Busan,” while the College of Natural Sciences, the College of Fisheries Sciences, and the College of Environmental and Marine Sciences and Technology explored “Smart Oceans and Fisheries Based on AI and Digital Transformation.” The College of Engineering and the College of Information Technology and Convergence addressed “The Present and Future of Super-Gap Marine Science and Technology.” Through these sessions, participants engaged in wide-ranging discussions on the future agenda of the oceans and fisheries sector beyond conventional academic boundaries. Meanwhile, drawing on the educational and research capabilities it has accumulated as a university specializing in oceans and fisheries, Pukyong National University plans to further expand close cooperation with the central government, local governments, and industry. Through these efforts, the university aims to lead the advancement of Korea’s oceans and fisheries sector and the realization of a globally competitive maritime capital region.
Pukyong National University to Establish ‘AX Innovation College’ for AI Convergence Talent Development― New College to Recruit 38 Students Beginning with This Year’s Admissions Cycle― Programs to Include the Department of AX Sustainable Convergence, the Department of AI Convergence Systems Engineering, and the AXIC School of Interdisciplinary StudiesPukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae) will establish the AX Innovation College beginning in the 2027 academic year to systematically nurture convergence-oriented talent capable of leading the artificial intelligence (AI) era. Pukyong National University announced that the new college is being established in response to the rapid digital transformation and the widespread adoption of AI technologies, with the goal of systematically developing AI convergence talent to lead future industries. The establishment of the college is a key development strategy aimed at securing the university’s future growth engines and leading innovation in regional industries. The AX Innovation College will foster future-ready professionals capable of applying AI technologies across diverse industries to solve real-world problems and create new values. Its programs will focus on developing interdisciplinary capabilities that can drive industrial innovation by integrating AI into strategic regional and national sectors, including oceans and fisheries, biotechnology, smart logistics, energy, and manufacturing. To this end, Pukyong National University will establish two departments and one school within the AX Innovation College: the Department of AX Sustainable Convergence, the Department of AI Convergence Systems Engineering, and the AXIC School of Interdisciplinary Studies. A total of 38 freshmen will be recruited beginning with this year’s admissions cycle. Following the establishment of the new departments and adjustments to enrollment quotas, the university’s total undergraduate admission quota will increase by 20, from 3,338 to 3,358 students next year. The Department of AX Sustainable Convergence will cultivate innovative professionals capable of using AI to design a sustainable future society and address industrial and social challenges. Through project-based education focused on identifying and solving real-world problems in fields such as fisheries and oceans, energy, manufacturing, and local communities, students will develop interdisciplinary thinking and practical problem-solving skills. The Department of AI Convergence Systems Engineering will cultivate practice-oriented engineering professionals capable of leading the digital transformation of future industries through AI, data, and systems technologies. Along with advanced coursework in machine learning, generative AI, data science, cloud computing, and databases, the department plans to offer projects using real-world data from the marine, biotechnology, and smart logistics sectors to strengthen students’ industry-focused capabilities. The AXIC School of Interdisciplinary Studies will support students in exploring a wide range of academic fields connected to AI after enrollment and designing individualized learning pathways suited to their aptitudes and career goals. Through the AX Innovation College, Pukyong National University plans to move beyond its existing major-centered education system by establishing an AI-based convergence education platform and pursuing educational innovation aligned with the needs of future industries. In particular, building on its strengths as a national university specializing in oceans and fisheries, the university is expected to contribute to the digital transformation and enhanced competitiveness of regional strategic industries through differentiated education that integrates AI with the oceans and fisheries sector. President Sang-Hoon Bae said, “Through the AX Innovation College, we will cultivate convergence-oriented professionals who understand AI and can apply it in industrial settings, while developing an innovative education model that proactively responds to changes in future society.”
Sung-Geun Lee, Director of Lee Saem Hospital, Donates KRW 100 Million to Pukyong National University― Supporting the University’s 80th Anniversary and the Advancement of Regional Universities and Professional Medical Education Sung-Geun Lee, Director of Lee Saem Hospital, donated KRW 100 million to Pukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae). Sung-Geun Lee presented the donation to President Bae at a university development fund donation ceremony held in the reception room of Pukyong National University’s administration building on the afternoon of July 6. Sung-Geun Lee said, “I would like to congratulate Pukyong National University on its 80th anniversary and recognize its longstanding commitment to advancing the local community and nurturing outstanding talent. I hope the university will continue to serve as a strong pillar supporting the development of Busan and the nation.” Sung-Geun Lee, who is also an alumnus of Pukyong National University with a master’s degree in business administration, has been actively contributing to the development of the local community. His recognition includes a Prime Minister’s Commendation for Contributions to Job Creation, a Busan Mayor’s Commendation as an Exemplary Citizen for Good Deeds, and a Minister of the Interior and Safety Commendation for Contributions to Innovation in Safety Policy. He currently serves as president of the Busan Honor Society Club. Lee Saem Hospital and Pukyong National University signed a memorandum of understanding in May to promote regional development and nurture future talent. Since then, the two institutions have drawn on the expertise of a medical institution specializing in health screenings and a national university to cooperate in building an industry-academia collaboration network and operating programs such as comprehensive health screenings and medical examinations for international students. Sung-Geun Lee said, “Healthcare and education are among the most essential forms of infrastructure for regional development. I hope Pukyong National University will continue its efforts to nurture professional medical personnel and contribute to the advancement of our local community.” Marking its 80th anniversary this year, Pukyong National University is continuing a relay of supportive donations for the university’s development, with Sung-Geun Lee participating as the 45th donor. The university plans to use the fund to realize its future vision for institutional advancement, including becoming a research-oriented university, an AI transformation (AX) innovation university, and a global innovation university.
대외홍보센터 (2026-07-20)COUNT 19Technology Developed to Boost the Production of Functional Microalgal Materials Using Light― Pukyong National University-Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology Joint Research Team Confirms Simultaneous Increases in Microalgal Cell Productivity and the Production of Fucoxanthin and Omega-3 Fatty Acids under Red-Light Conditions― Next-Generation Platform for Optimizing Microalgae Cultivation Proposed through Image-Based Single-Cell Analysis A research team led by Professor Hyun-Ho Shin of the Major of Aquaculture and Applied Life Sciences in the Division of Fisheries Life Sciences at Pukyong National University, together with a team led by Dr. Jun Lee of the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), has developed a new light-based cultivation technology capable of simultaneously enhancing microalgal growth and the production of functional materials. The joint research team conducted cultivation experiments using the marine microalga Tisochrysis lutea, combining white, red, and blue light with plant hormones. The researchers comprehensively analyzed growth characteristics, photosynthetic capacity, fucoxanthin and fatty acid production, and cellular population structure. The findings confirmed that light wavelength is a key environmental factor that regulates not only microalgal growth, but also the morphology of cell populations and the production of functional metabolites. The research team found that microalgae cultivated under red light exhibited approximately 1.5 times higher cell productivity than those grown under white light and approximately 1.4 times higher productivity than those grown under blue light. Under red-light conditions, the production of fucoxanthin, an antioxidant functional pigment, increased by up to 1.62%, while total fatty acid production rose by up to 14.6%. In particular, omega-3 fatty acids―including DHA, a key ingredient in health functional foods and high-quality aquaculture feed―showed the highest productivity under red-light conditions. Fucoxanthin is a natural carotenoid that has attracted attention for its various bioactive properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity effects. Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA are also high-value biomaterials widely used in health functional foods and the aquaculture industry. This study presents a strategy for efficiently producing these functional materials simultaneously under a single set of cultivation conditions. Going beyond conventional analyses limited to biomass or pigment content, the joint research team applied image-based single-cell cytometry to analyze real-time changes in cell morphology and population structure during cultivation. The results showed that cell aggregation decreased substantially under red light, with more than approximately 97% of the total cells maintaining a uniform single-cell state. This approach is attracting attention as a new evaluation technology that could improve not only the productivity of functional materials, but also the efficiency of future large-scale cultivation and harvesting processes. The research team also confirmed that although plant hormones had some effects on microalgal growth and metabolism, overall productivity and cellular characteristics were primarily determined by light wavelength. These findings indicate that prioritizing the optimization of the light environment is the most effective strategy for controlling the production of functional substances in microalgae. Professor Hyun-Ho Shin said, “This study demonstrates that light wavelength can simultaneously regulate not only microalgal growth, but also cell population structure and the production of functional materials. It is particularly meaningful in that it presents a new platform for precisely evaluating microalgal cultivation conditions by incorporating image-based single-cell analysis.” The findings were published in Bioresource Technology, a leading international journal in the fields of biomass and bioprocessing ranked in the top 3% by JCR with an impact factor of 9, under the title “Light Spectra Shape Population Structure and the Allocation of Fucoxanthin and Fatty Acids with Secondary Phytohormone Modulation in Tisochrysis lutea.”
대외홍보센터 (2026-07-20)COUNT 20Pukyong National University Selected to Lead KRW 7 Billion R&D Project by the Korea AeroSpace Administration― Five-Year Project to ‘Advance AI-Based Aerospace Research and Development’― Development of a CubeSat for Marine Environmental Monitoring and Acquisition of Core AI Technologies to Begin in Earnest Pukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae) has been selected as the lead research institution for the Space Technology Innovation Talent Development (R&D)―Advancement of AI-Based Aerospace Research and Development Projects, a major national research and development initiative promoted by the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA). The large-scale national project will receive a total of KRW 7 billion in government R&D funding over five years, from this year through 2030. Through the project, Pukyong National University will lead next-generation research and development integrating AI with space technologies, while cultivating specialized professionals in the field. Professor Yang-Won Lee of the Major of Satellite Information Convergence Engineering at Pukyong National University will serve as the principal investigator. The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) and space startup Nara Space Technology will participate as partner institutions, forming an industry-academia-research collaboration network. Pukyong National University’s research team will include Professor Yang-Won Lee, along with Professors Chul-Woong Choi, Jin-Soo Kim, Han-Lim Lee, Wook-Gyo Jeong, Joon-Hwa Chi, Moon-Gab Joo, Ji-Yeol Ryu, and other experts in remote sensing, big data, and information and communications technology. The project’s core objective is to establish a Space+AI convergence talent development platform for marine environmental monitoring using CubeSats. The Pukyong National University consortium plans to directly design and manufacture an engineering model of a CubeSat specialized for marine environmental monitoring and secure core AI technologies capable of analyzing satellite-collected data in real time. To achieve this goal, the research team will develop an onboard AI inference engine and FPGA-based real-time image processing technology; marine remote-sensing preprocessing technologies such as atmospheric correction, sunglint removal, reflectance normalization, and spatiotemporal missing-data reconstruction; AI models for deriving marine ecological indicators, including chlorophyll-a, total suspended solids (TSS), colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), and surface currents; and approximately 20 core AI technologies for marine environmental monitoring, including the detection of harmful algal blooms, marine debris, port air pollution, and vessels engaged in illegal fishing. In particular, the consortium plans to apply multimodal AI convergence technologies that combine existing satellite imagery from sources such as Sentinel-2 and PlanetScope with data from its own CubeSat. This approach is expected to improve the quality of low-cost CubeSat data and establish a next-generation foundation for the more precise monitoring and utilization of marine environmental information. Having been selected for the project through competition with leading universities nationwide, the Pukyong National University consortium has demonstrated its research competitiveness in satellite information engineering. Going forward, it plans to lead the development of self-reliant core technologies in aerospace and AI-based remote sensing by developing a CubeSat for marine environmental monitoring and securing foundational AI technologies. The consortium also aims to establish itself as a hub for cultivating interdisciplinary professionals who will lead the New Space era.
대외홍보센터 (2026-07-20)COUNT 32Pukyong National University Selected to Participate in ‘Industrial Data Quantum Computing Transition’ Project― KRW 17 Billion Project Led by KETI … University to Develop an Optimal Quantum Computer Matching Platform Pukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae) has been selected as a participating institution for the ‘Industrial Data Quantum Computing Transition and Utilization Support Platform’ project under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy’s second call for the ‘2026 Industrial Innovation Infrastructure Development Program.’ Pukyong National University will participate as a joint research institution alongside Hallym University in the project, which is led by the Korea Electronics Technology Institute (KETI) and supported by Seongnam City. Scheduled to run for four years and six months, from this July through 2030, the large-scale project will receive a total investment of KRW 16.96 billion, including KRW 10 billion in government funding as well as contributions from the participating institutions and Seongnam City. The project aims to establish and provide a national infrastructure platform that enables companies to access quantum computing through the cloud without investing in expensive quantum-related equipment. With South Korea’s quantum computing market projected to grow from KRW 375.4 billion last year to KRW 1.4544 trillion by 2034, the new infrastructure is expected to help companies strengthen their technological competitiveness by sharing access to the platform without having to build quantum computers or other hardware independently. KETI will develop an integrated quantum-classical hybrid cloud platform, while Pukyong National University will build a platform for optimally matching quantum algorithms with quantum computers. Hallym University will develop an embedding platform that converts industrial data into a quantum-compatible format. The Pukyong National University research team, led by Professor Young-Sun Han of the School of Computer and Artificial Intelligence Engineering, will develop a core technology that connects industrial problems submitted by companies to the most suitable quantum computers based on data characteristics and algorithm types. To carry out the project, the university plans to mobilize a large team of faculty members and researchers from the School of Computer and Artificial Intelligence Engineering, the Major of Satellite Information Convergence Engineering, the Department of Physics, and the Major of Electronic Engineering. The team will include Professors Young-Sun Han, Hoon-Hee Kim, Tae-Kook Kim, Yang-Won Lee, Sang-Ho Oh, Hee-Chul Park, Seung-Ho Yoo, Sang-Won Hwang, and Sol-Ah Woo, and will actively utilize related infrastructure, including the Quantum AI Research Institute. In particular, as the development of the Arctic shipping route gains attention as a future strategic initiative for Busan and the southeastern region, the research team will also conduct demonstrations of quantum computing applications in logistics, maritime, and shipbuilding industries linked to the region’s key industrial strengths. By establishing industrial support hubs in the Seoul metropolitan area through KETI, the southeastern region through Pukyong National University, and the Gangwon region through Hallym University, the project is expected to expand companies’ access to quantum computing and strengthen industrial competitiveness. It is also anticipated to serve as a catalyst for cultivating practice-oriented quantum professionals and revitalizing regional quantum industry ecosystems.
대외홍보센터 (2026-07-20)COUNT 21Two Pukyong National University Research Teams Selected for the Ministry of Science and ICT’s Basic Research Laboratory Support Program― Teams Led by Professors Wan-Young Chung and Hyun-Ho Shin to Pioneer Future Marine Technology and Climate Change Research― Each Team to Receive KRW 1.5 Billion and Conduct Research Projects over Three YearsTwo research teams from Pukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae) have been selected for the Basic Research Laboratory Support Program (BRL), administered by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Research Foundation of Korea. The teams will conduct research on future technologies in the fields of advanced marine technology and climate change response. The Basic Research Laboratory Support Program is a national research and development initiative designed to foster research groups with world-class capabilities in fundamental research. At Pukyong National University, the research team led by Professor Wan-Young Chung of the Major of Electronic Engineering was selected in the Advanced Research category, while the team led by Professor Hyun-Ho Shin of the Major of Aquaculture and Applied Life Sciences was selected in the Pioneering Research category. Each team will receive KRW 1.5 billion in research funding and carry out its project for three years, from July through June 2029. Professor Wan-Young Chung achieved the distinction of being selected for the program for the second time as principal investigator, following his team’s previous selection in 2020. His research team will undertake the project titled “Development of an AI-Based Underwater Environment-Adaptive Optical Communication Receiver Module with Ultra-High-Sensitivity and High-Speed Dual-Receiver Modes.” The team will develop core next-generation underwater optical communication technologies capable of transmitting data reliably over long distances and at ultra-high speeds, even beneath the ocean surface. Professors Kang-Joon Baek of the Major of Next-Generation Semiconductor Engineering and Sang-Won Hwang of the School of Computer and Artificial Intelligence Engineering at Pukyong National University, along with Professor Myung-Gil Kim of the School of Advanced Materials Science and Engineering at Sungkyunkwan University, will participate in the research. Conventional underwater communication systems have faced significant performance degradation caused by turbidity and changing underwater conditions. To overcome these limitations, the team plans to develop an intelligent receiver module that uses AI to analyze the surrounding environment in real time and automatically optimize the reception method. To achieve this goal, the team will develop a large-area sensor array integrating blue-light-sensitive optical sensors, ultra-high-speed photodiodes, and high-performance CMOS circuitry. It will also implement dual-mode technology that selectively operates in either ultra-high-sensitivity or ultra-high-speed mode depending on environmental conditions. In addition, the researchers plan to build an adaptive receiver system that maintains stable communication despite changes in the underwater environment by applying AI-based non-mechanical beam tracking and precision pointing technologies. Ultimately, the team aims to secure world-class foundational technology by developing an underwater optical communication receiver module with a data transmission speed of approximately 1 Gbps and a communication range exceeding 100 meters. The research outcomes are expected to support real-time, high-speed underwater communication across a wide range of applications, including autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), marine observation, underwater structure management, marine robotics, submarines, and underwater leisure activities. Meanwhile, Professor Hyun-Ho Shin’s research team will conduct a project titled “Impacts of Atmospheric and Rainfall-Borne Microorganisms Entering the Ocean on Coastal Ecosystems in the Era of Climate Change.” The team will investigate how microorganisms transported through the atmosphere enter the ocean via rainfall and affect coastal ecosystems and food webs. It also plans to establish essential baseline data for predicting ecosystem changes driven by climate change. Professors Beom-Soo Park of the Department of Life Science at Hanyang University and Jin-Ho Kim of the Department of Earth and Marine Sciences at Jeju National University will participate in the joint research. As climate change alters precipitation patterns and atmospheric circulation, the movement of microorganisms through rainfall has recently gained increasing attention. However, its effects on marine ecosystems have yet to be fully understood. The research team plans to analyze the diversity of microorganisms and microalgae in rainwater and use molecular biological and ecological techniques to determine their effects on biodiversity and food-web structures in coastal ecosystems. In particular, the study is expected to identify atmospheric transport pathways and rainfall-driven microbial dispersal mechanisms in Northeast Asia, including Korea, thereby establishing essential baseline data for predicting ecosystem changes caused by climate change. New microalgal resources obtained during the research will be systematically preserved and managed through the Korea Marine Microalgae Culture Center (KMCC), located within the College of Fisheries Sciences at Pukyong National University. These resources will serve as essential research materials for studies on biodiversity, climate change response, and the marine bioindustry.
Pukyong National University research team identifies oxidative biotransformation of polystyrene by EPS buoy debris-derived microorganisms- Three Paenibacillus strains isolated from EPS buoy debris collected from the Busan coast- Oxidation, increased wettability, and structural changes in polystyrene confirmed through multi-analytical approaches- Study published in the international journal Environmental Chemistry and EcotoxicologyA research team led by Professor Jong-Hoon Kim of the Department of Biotechnology at Pukyong National University has isolated microorganisms from discarded styrofoam buoy debris collected along the Busan coast and identified their potential role in the biotransformation of polystyrene plastics. The research team investigated microorganisms inhabiting the surface of weathered expanded polystyrene (EPS) buoy debris collected from the Busan coast and isolated three Paenibacillusstrains, designated BS8-1, BS8-2, and BS11. EPS is widely used in aquaculture buoys and packaging materials due to its light weight and buoyancy, but once released into the marine environment, it can easily fragment and become a major source of microplastics. In this study, the isolated strains were incubated with polystyrene (PS) films for 30 days. The resulting changes were comprehensively analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), water contact angle analysis, thermal analysis, attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H NMR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), whole-genome sequencing, and transcriptomic profiling. The results showed that all three strains attached to PS films and formed biofilm-like structures. Even after washing, the treated films exhibited surface roughening, pitting, and erosion-like features. Among the three strains, BS8-2 showed the most pronounced changes, including the highest apparent mass loss. In addition, the water contact angle of the PS films decreased after bacterial treatment, while oxygen-associated signals and oxidation-related chemical changes increased, indicating that the plastic surface became more hydrophilic and oxidized. Through whole-genome and transcriptome analyses, the team further confirmed that strain BS8-2 possesses functional traits associated with redox reactions, aromatic-compound processing, transport systems, and cellular adaptation. These findings suggest that the plastisphere, the microbial community formed on marine plastic surfaces, may actively participate in the environmental transformation of plastic materials. Rather than claiming complete degradation or mineralization of plastic, this study provides multi-layered evidence that microorganisms inhabiting coastal EPS buoy debris can induce oxidative biotransformation and partial chemical modification of polystyrene. The findings are significant because they show that marine plastics are not only physically fragmented in the environment, but may also undergo chemical changes through interactions with microorganisms. Professor Jong-Hoon Kim said, “This study shows that coastal EPS buoy debris can serve not only as a source of microplastics, but also as a biological interface where microorganisms and plastic materials interact. By further tracing the origin, environmental fate, and ecotoxicity of plastic transformation products, this research is expected to contribute to risk assessment and management strategies for marine plastic pollution.” The study was published in the international journal Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicologyunder the title “Oxidative surface biodeterioration of polystyrene by plastisphere-derived Paenibacillusstrains from weathered EPS buoy debris.” The journal has an Impact Factor of 12.3and ranks in the top 2.4% in Toxicologyand top 4.4% in Environmental Sciencesaccording to JCR. This work was supported by the National Institute of Biological Resources under the Ministry of Environment.
Pukyong National University Holds Send-Off Ceremony for 70th Deep-Sea Onboard Training Voyage― Training Vessel Baekgyeong Sets Sail on a 32-Day Voyage from Yongho Bay Wharf on June 26Pukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae) held the send-off ceremony for the 70th Deep-Sea Onboard Training Voyage for the 2026 academic year on June 26 at the Yongho Bay Wharf in Busan. Following the ceremony, 112 participants, including 78 students from the Division of Marine Production System Management, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Industry Education, and the Major in Mechanical Systems Engineering, as well as 34 crew members, embarked on a 32-day deep-sea training voyage aboard the university’s state-of-the-art training vessel, Baekgyeong (Captain Su-Hyung Kim, 3,997 gross tons). The voyage will continue through July 27, during which students will receive hands-on training in the East Sea, South Sea, and West Sea of Korea, as well as in waters near China, Japan, and Keelung, Taiwan. The program provides practical instruction in navigation, fishing operations, electronic communications, marine engineering, and automatic control systems, in accordance with the education and training standards of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) for deck and engineering officers. The training voyage will also include port calls at Qingdao in China, Hakata in Japan, and Keelung in Taiwan, where students will visit overseas universities and institutions to participate in academic and cultural exchange activities. Pukyong National University’s deep-sea onboard training program first began in 1957. At that time, 48 students from the class of 1954 at the former Busan Fisheries College, including Jae-Chul Kim, honorary chairman of Dongwon Group, sailed 1,300 kilometers to Keelung Port in Taiwan aboard the small wooden vessel Hongyang (103 gross tons). Now, 70 years later, the program has grown significantly, with the training vessel increasing to 3,997 tons, about 40 times larger, and the voyage distance expanding to 2,700 kilometers, about twice as long. It is now recognized as a training program for cultivating future talent in advanced new marine and fisheries industries who will lead Korea’s marine and fisheries sector.At the send-off ceremony, President Sang-Hoon Bae said, “Over the past 70 years, our university’s deep-sea onboard training program has produced numerous talented professionals in the fisheries and maritime fields and has made significant contributions to national economic development and local communities.” He added, “I hope all of you will take great pride in this meaningful voyage and do your best with the goal of growing into leaders in the fisheries and maritime sectors.”
대외홍보센터 (2026-06-30)COUNT 97Pukyong National University Ranked No. 1 in Busan with the City’s Only S Rating in Anchor Project Evaluation― Receives Highest Rating in Busan’s First-Year Annual Evaluation in Recognition of Achievements in Talent Development, Industry-Academia Collaboration, and Regional InnovationPukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae) ranked first among universities in Busan, earning the city’s only S rating, the highest possible grade, in the first-year annual evaluation of the 2025 Busan Anchor Project (formerly the RISE Project) recently conducted by the Busan Metropolitan City Government. The annual evaluation was carried out to comprehensively assess universities participating in the Busan Anchor Project based on their achievement of project objectives, implementation systems, performance management, and contributions to regional innovation. Reflecting its strengths as a research-oriented university, Pukyong National University received the highest S rating in recognition of its outstanding achievements and systematic project management capabilities. In the evaluation, the university received high marks for the policy alignment of its implementation strategies, which link the university’s areas of excellence with Busan’s strategic industries, as well as for their potential to contribute to regional development. In particular, its specialization strategy centered on Blue Food Tech and Energy Tech, its research talent development system, and its accomplishments in establishing industry-academia collaboration models tailored to regional industrial demands were recognized as outstanding. In the project performance category, Pukyong National University was recognized for its collaboration with the Busan Metropolitan City Government and the Busan RISE Innovation Institute to establish the Advanced Fisheries and Marine Open UIC Field Campus, as well as for building a regional cluster of fisheries and marine industry partners through the PKNU RISE Alliance. The university also demonstrated its leadership in strengthening the regional industrial ecosystem by achieving outstanding results in research talent development and industry-academia collaboration, including joint research among universities, industry, and research institutes, technology-based entrepreneurship, capstone design programs, and standardized field internship programs. The university also received an S rating in the research talent development category of individual project evaluation. Outstanding achievements included the development of industry-linked curricula, the operation of contract-based academic programs and industry-customized educational programs, expanded participation in industry-academia-research joint research, and strong performance in technology commercialization and entrepreneurship. In addition, initiatives such as industry demand-driven collaborative technology development, regional industrial innovation, living lab projects designed to address community challenges, and industrial complex campus-based business growth support programs all received A ratings, further demonstrating the overall excellence of the university’s project implementation. The university also received high marks for its performance management system and budget administration. It exceeded the majority of the performance indicators established by the Busan Metropolitan City Government and was commended for establishing a sustainable project implementation framework through securing matching investments in cooperation with local governments and industry partners, as well as developing a cash-matching system for industry-academia collaborative technology development projects. Based on the evaluation results, Pukyong National University will receive additional project funding to further strengthen research talent development, support for regional business growth, technology commercialization, and global research collaboration during the second year of the project. In particular, the university plans to focus on fostering regional industrial innovation and cultivating locally rooted research talent in the advanced fisheries and marine industries, thereby leading the development of Busan’s future growth industries. President Sang-Hoon Bae said, “Earning the highest S rating as the only university in Busan to do so is the result of the dedication of our university members and our close collaboration with the local community and industry partners.” He added, “We will continue to advance the PKNU Anchor Project model to build an innovation ecosystem where the university and the region grow together, while actively contributing to strengthening Busan’s future competitiveness.”
Jong-Gyu Hwang, CEO of Woosung Group, Donates KRW 100 Million to Pukyong National University― Supports His Alma Mater’s 80th Anniversary and the Development of Talent in Marine and Fisheries Science and TechnologyJong-Gyu Hwang, CEO of Woosung Group, a leading company in Busan’s ship repair industry, has donated KRW 100 million to his alma mater, Pukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae). At a university development fund donation ceremony held on the morning of June 24 in the reception room of Pukyong National University’s main administration building, Hwang presented the KRW 100 million donation to President Sang-Hoon Bae in support of the university’s continued development as it celebrates its 80th anniversary. Jong-Gyu Hwang said, “Seeing alumni, members of the university community, and people from various sectors of society joining the donation campaign in celebration of my alma mater’s 80th anniversary inspired me to contribute as well. I hope this donation will help Pukyong National University, a university specializing in marine and fisheries education, continue to grow as a leading institution contributing to the development of Busan as Korea’s maritime capital and to the nation’s future.” A member of the Class of 1978 in the Department of Marine Engineering (now the Major in Mechanical Systems Engineering) at Pukyong National University, Jong-Gyu Hwang founded Woosung Turbo Engineering Co., Ltd., a ship repair company in Yeongdo-gu, Busan, in 1992, drawing on his academic background and industry experience. He subsequently established Woosung Ocean Tech Co., Ltd., Woosung Marine Engineering Co., Ltd., and World Seaport Engineering Co., Ltd., expanding the business into a specialized group providing comprehensive ship repair and maintenance services. Jong-Gyu Hwang has long contributed to strengthening alumni unity and supporting the development of his alma mater, serving as the 11th President of the Pukyong National University Alumni Association in 2017. He has also been actively involved in community service, including serving as the 47th District Governor of Lions Clubs International, Busan District. Jong-Gyu Hwang said, “Having built my company through the repair and maintenance of numerous vessels―including the icebreaking research vessel Araon, government-operated ships, merchant vessels, and fishing boats―I have come to fully appreciate the importance of talented professionals working in the field. I hope the university will continue to nurture outstanding science and technology talent in the marine and fisheries sectors who will lead the future of our regional industries and our nation.” As Pukyong National University celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, the university has been carrying out a Giving Relay Campaign to support its future development. Hwang became the 42nd donor to join the campaign. The university plans to use the donation to advance its long-term vision, including the development of a research-oriented university, an AX Innovation University, and a Global Innovation University.
Pukyong National University Selected for BK21 Pilot Project to Support the Development Pathways of Outstanding Science and Engineering Talent― Funding Secured Through February 2027 to Discover and Foster Outstanding Talent in Science and Engineering― Establishes a Comprehensive Support System Covering Academic Growth from Undergraduate to Graduate Studies Pukyong National University (President Sang-Hoon Bae) has been selected for the “Support Project for the Development Pathways of Outstanding Science and Engineering Talent,” a new pilot initiative launched in 2026 under the Phase 4 BK21 (Brain Korea 21) Program, administered by the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF). Introduced this year, the project aims to identify and systematically support outstanding students in science and engineering from the undergraduate level, enabling them to develop into the next generation of academic researchers. Its core objective is to establish a structured talent development pathway that progressively strengthens research capabilities from undergraduate students to graduate students and early-career researchers. Among the 28 universities that applied for the program, the Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) selected 10 universities for preliminary designation, including Pukyong National University, Korea University, Sungkyunkwan University, Yonsei University, Chung-Ang University, POSTECH, Pusan National University, Yonsei University Mirae Campus, Chonnam National University, and Chungnam National University. The selected universities will receive a total of KRW 8.48 billion in project funding through February 2027 to operate programs for identifying outstanding science and engineering students and strengthening their research capabilities. Following its selection, Pukyong National University has established the vision of becoming an “R&D Lifelong Growth Partner for Outstanding Science and Engineering Talent.” Under this vision, the university will build a seamless talent development pathway spanning from the undergraduate level to postdoctoral researchers. Through a three-stage framework―“Take Root, Bloom, and Grow into a Forest”―the project aims to cultivate outstanding talent in close partnership with the local community. The Ministry of Education and the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) will complete the objection review process by July 6 and announce the final list of selected universities later in July. The Phase 4 BK21 (Brain Korea 21) Program is a flagship national initiative designed to foster world-class research-oriented universities and cultivate highly qualified master’s and doctoral researchers by strengthening graduate education and research capacity. Running from 2020 to 2027, the seven-year program currently supports 595 Education and Research Groups and graduate school innovation projects at 63 universities across Korea.
E-Cigarette Users’ Habits and Preferences Influence Emissions― Pukyong National University Undergraduate Publishes as First Author in International Journal― Nicotine, PG, and VG Emissions Vary Depending on Heated Tobacco Use ConditionsThe smoking habits of electronic cigarette users and the ways they use their devices have been found to influence the concentration and variability of major emitted substances, including nicotine. A research team led by Professor Yoon-Seok Son and Dong-Han Kim, a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in Environmental Engineering at Pukyong National University, found that the emission characteristics of nicotine, propylene glycol (PG), and vegetable glycerin (VG) vary depending on the operating conditions of heated tobacco products (HTPs). The findings were published this month in the international journal Current Research in Toxicology (IF 4.7). According to the study, nicotine emissions from heated tobacco products remained relatively consistent under different conditions. In contrast, the emissions of PG and VG varied considerably depending on the usage environment and device characteristics. In particular, emission variability increased when the device was placed horizontally or used repeatedly in continuous sessions. The researchers also found that emission characteristics differed according to the flavor type and whether a flavor capsule was used. The research findings were published by Dong-Han Kim as the first author in the paper titled “Do the Habits and Preferences of Heated-Tobacco-Product Users Affect the Emission Characteristics of Nicotine, PG, and VG?” The paper appeared in ‘Current Research in Toxicology,’ an ESCI-indexed international journal ranked in the top 25% (Q1) in the field of Toxicology as of 2025. Dong-Han Kim said, “Although heated tobacco products have rapidly gained popularity as a new type of tobacco product, their emission characteristics under actual usage conditions have not yet been sufficiently investigated. I hope this study will serve as fundamental data for future toxicity assessments and the establishment of regulatory standards for heated tobacco products.” Professor Yoon-Seok Son said, “Publishing an international journal paper as the first author during the undergraduate program is a highly meaningful achievement. This study also has significant potential for broader applications in public health and environmental research, as it analyzes the relationship between tobacco product usage patterns and the emission characteristics of harmful substances.”
Pukyong National University Research Team to Present Two Papers at ‘ECCV 2026’ in Sweden― One of the World’s Most Prestigious International Conferences in Computer Vision― Develops Smartphone Heterogeneous Stereo Image Restoration and 3DGS-Based 3D Style Transfer TechnologiesA research team led by Professor Seung-Wook Kim of the Department of Electronic Engineering at Pukyong National University, in collaboration with researchers from Jeonbuk National University and Konkuk University, will present two research papers in the fields of artificial intelligence and computer vision at ‘The 19th European Conference on Computer Vision (ECCV 2026).’ ECCV 2026, which will be held from September 8 to 12 in Malm？, Sweden, is an internationally recognized conference with global authority in the field of computer vision. The two papers to be presented include research on addressing image blur that occurs in multi-camera smartphone environments, as well as research on 3D content generation that artistically transforms not only the colors of three-dimensional scenes but also their structural forms. The first paper, “A Benchmark for Heterogeneous Stereo Deblurring with Physically- and Epipolar-constrained Cross Attention,” is the result of collaborative research with Konkuk University. It focuses on solving the problem of asymmetric blur that occurs in heterogeneous stereo camera systems, such as the wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle cameras used in smartphones. The research team constructed a dataset based on spatial videos captured with actual smartphones and proposed a neural network architecture that effectively restores blurred images by utilizing clear image information under physical and geometric constraints. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method consistently improved performance across a wide range of image restoration models. The second paper, “Geometry-Aware Style Transfer in 3D Gaussian Splatting,” is the result of collaborative research with Jeonbuk National University. It presents a 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS)-based style transfer technique, building on the emerging real-time 3D scene representation technology. Unlike previous studies that primarily focused on changes in color and texture, this research incorporates geometric structures―including depth and object boundaries―along with color information, enabling more immersive and artistically enhanced transformations of three-dimensional scenes. The two studies advance image restoration technology for real-world smartphone imaging environments and 3D content generation technology, respectively. The research is expected to find broad applications in XR content creation, mobile image processing, and immersive media fields such as gaming, film, and the metaverse. Professor Seung-Wook Kim said, “ECCV is one of the three most prestigious international conferences in the field of computer vision. Presenting these papers at ECCV 2026 demonstrates the AI and computer vision research capabilities of the Pukyong National University research team. We will continue to develop core AI technologies that can be applied in real-world industries and content production, while fostering outstanding talent in the field.” Professor Seung-Wook Kim’s research team conducted these studies with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) under grants RS-2025-16067383 and RS-2026-25489106.