Korea Science Journalists Association Announces '2025 Science Media Awards'... 17 Recipients (Teams) Selected in 4 Categories

The Korea Science Journalists Association announced on November 18 the 17 recipients (individuals and teams) of the '2025 Science Media Awards.' The awards are divided into four categories: 'Scientist of the Year Chosen by Journalists,' 'Korea Science Journalist Award,' 'Science Communicator Award,' and 'Second Half Science Reporting Award.'

The 'Scientist of the Year Chosen by Journalists' award went to Professor Kim Baekmin of Pukyong National University, Professor Kim Jaekyung, CI of the Biomedical Mathematics Group at IBS (Associate Professor at KAIST), and Park Gideok, Director of the KIST Brain Science Institute. Professor Kim Baekmin was highly recognized for his achievements in polar climate change research and active public engagement. Professor Kim Jaekyung received high marks for his research integrating mathematics, life sciences, and AI, as well as for his success in technology transfer. Director Park was praised for developing candidate drugs for intractable brain diseases and for his accomplishments in major technology exports.

The Korea Science Journalist Award will go to Kim Yunmi, a reporter at MBC. Kim was recognized for her data-driven investigative reporting, including coverage of COVID-19 using the infection reproduction number and analysis of solar power generation, as well as for her series on suspected telecom hacking this year, which led to the launch of a joint public-private investigation team.

Seven individuals, including researchers, educators, and public relations experts, received the Science Communicator Award. Professor Lee Kwangryul of Korea University contributed to broadening the base of basic science through his research on nanoparticles and his writing and video content. Lee Hyojong, a producer at Cookie Studio, was recognized for pioneering a new trend in documentary-style science content.

An Juhyun, a teacher at Jungdong High School and an expert in life sciences, was honored for his extensive activities in education and lectures. Shim Sibo, Director at IBS; Lee Sungmin, Head of Public Relations at KARI; Jang Byoungyoung, Officer at the Korea Forest Service; and Jo Ara, Head of Public Relations at the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, were also awarded for their contributions to promoting science journalism.

The Sangheo Science Reporting Award, which is given for the second half of the year, was awarded to Ko Jaewon of Maeil Business Newspaper, the Daejeoknet reporting team, Shin Bangsil of KBS, and Lee Sungkyu of YTN. Their in-depth coverage of major scientific issues-such as the Nuriho technology transfer issue, the debate over the abolition of PBS, the first observation of fire cumulonimbus clouds, and the reduction of research and development (R&D) budgets-was highly praised. The Merck Medical Journalism Award went to Science Dong-A (Kim Taehee and Kim Soyeon) and the Korea Daily Excellence Lab (Kim Hyeyoung, Son Youngha, and Lee Seohyun).

Professor An Junmo of Korea University, chair of the judging panel, commented, "High-quality journalism that captures the voices from the scientific field and embodies public value was the main criterion for selection." The '2025 Science Media Awards' ceremony will be held on November 25 at Lotte Hotel Seoul, with support from the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity, the Association of Heads of Government-funded Science and Technology Institutes, Konkuk University, and Merck Healthcare Korea.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.