Kim Myunghwan, Former LG Chem President, Appointed as First 'National Special Researcher'

Ministry of Science and ICT Expects Solutions to Technical Challenges Such as All-Solid-State Batteries

Kim Myunghwan, former president of LG Chem and head of the Next-Generation Secondary Battery Strategic Research Group, has been appointed as the first 'National Special Researcher' at a government research institute. [Related article reference]

The National Special Researcher system, established on the 4th under the operational regulations for government-funded research institutes in the field of science and technology, allows for exceptional compensation without applying retirement age and a different basic salary structure.

Myeonghwan Kim, National Distinguished Researcher at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology. Provided by the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The Ministry of Science and ICT and the National Science and Technology Research Council (NST) announced on the 28th that Kim was officially appointed as the first Special Researcher at the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology.

Special Researcher Kim is a top expert in the battery field, having served as president of LG Chem and LG Energy Solution.

He was appointed as the first head of the battery development team at LG Chem in 1996, laying the foundation for the internalization of lithium-ion batteries and pioneering the medium-to-large battery sector, successfully commercializing the world's first lithium-ion battery for electric vehicles. Last year, he took on the role of head of the Next-Generation Secondary Battery Strategic Research Group, which was selected as a global top strategic research group.

The Ministry of Science and ICT stated that Special Researcher Kim is expected to solve technical challenges such as all-solid-state batteries, a candidate for next-generation secondary batteries, and secure fundamental technologies throughout the entire cycle of next-generation secondary batteries, from materials to cells.

Lee Chang-yoon, 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "We will spare no support so that top experts in each field, as National Special Researchers, can achieve remarkable results together with the excellent research personnel and infrastructure possessed by our government-funded research institutes."

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