KBSI chief vows to make Korea's new light source accelerator hub of national research infrastructure

The Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) is set to spearhead a transformation of the country's national research infrastructure, with the Korea Light Source (KLS) accelerator at the center of its ambitions.

The institute plans to integrate AI and data capabilities into its advanced research equipment and analytical science operations, and to build autonomous laboratories to sharpen Korea's research and development competitiveness.

Park Sung-kyun was inaugurated Tuesday as KBSI's 14th director at a ceremony held at the institute's main campus in Daejeon's Daedeok district, officially beginning his tenure.

At the ceremony, Park laid out a vision to develop KBSI into a platform that connects and leads the country's major research infrastructure. He said the KLS would serve as the central pillar of institutional innovation, with analytical science, AI and research data organically linked around it.

He identified four key priorities: the successful construction and operational readiness of the KLS, strengthening analytical science competitiveness, innovating research methods through AI and data, and fostering an organizational culture centered on deep research engagement.

The KLS — a multipurpose synchrotron radiation accelerator being built in Ochang, North Chungcheong Province — will be developed as a core national research infrastructure for shared use by domestic and international researchers and industry. The institute also plans to cultivate a skilled workforce and build a user ecosystem so that research outcomes translate into technological innovation and industrial application.

KBSI also intends to upgrade the analytical science capabilities it has accumulated over more than three decades. The plan calls for developing new analytical technologies and methodologies using advanced research equipment, and connecting research data to new scientific knowledge to help address major national challenges.

The institute is also moving to accelerate the development of an AI-based research framework. It plans to build autonomous laboratories that combine AI, robotics and data with advanced research equipment, positioning this as a next-generation competitive edge for KBSI.

On the organizational side, the institute will clarify its core mission to allow researchers to focus fully on their work, strengthen the expertise of technical and research support staff, and improve administrative support systems.

"KBSI stands at the starting point of an important transformation," Park said. "Centered on the KLS, we will open a new horizon in analytical science, innovate our research methods through AI and data, and build the future of Korea's research infrastructure ahead of the rest."

He added that he would "listen carefully to voices from the field and find answers together," and would "firmly protect what must be protected and boldly change what must be changed."

Park earned a bachelor's degree in physics from Pusan National University, a master's degree from the same institution, and a doctorate in physics from the University of Arizona. After working as a senior researcher at KBSI, he served as a professor in the physics department at Pusan National University from 2008. He has also chaired the steering committee for the Ministry of Science and ICT's multipurpose synchrotron radiation accelerator construction project and served as vice president of the Korean Physical Society.