KRISS deputy director elected to International Committee for Weights and Measures, 5th Korean to serve

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) announced Friday that Deputy Director Park Yeon-kyu has been elected to the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM), the body that sets global measurement standards policy and direction.

Park was elected at the 28th General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM), held Thursday in France (local time). He is the fifth Korean national ever elected to the CIPM.

The election recognizes more than 28 years of expertise Park has built conducting measurement standards research in force and torque, as well as his track record of engagement on the international stage.

Park has contributed to international measurement standards cooperation through roles including vice president for external relations at the International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO) and member of the executive committee of the Asia-Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP).

The CIPM is a core decision-making body in international metrology, composed of 18 experts from different countries. It deliberates on the development of measurement standards used worldwide — including the International System of Units (SI) — and reviews the operations and fiscal status of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM).

The committee also oversees the activities of its advisory committees, appoints their chairs, and coordinates the operation of the global measurement standards framework and international cooperation.

Korea has now produced five CIPM members in total: former KRISS President Jeong Myeong-se, the first Korean elected in 1996, followed by former presidents Jeong Gwang-hwa in 2008, Kang Dae-im in 2013 and Park Sang-yeol in 2019, and now Park Yeon-kyu.

With this election, Korea has broadened its foundation for directly participating in the shaping of international measurement standards policy and future strategy, allowing it to reflect the country's technical capabilities and positions in the field of measurement science.

KRISS has participated in the General Conference on Weights and Measures on behalf of the South Korean government since 1987, taking part in deliberations on major resolutions and exercising voting rights in the international measurement standards system.

"This election shows that the international community trusts South Korea's metrology capabilities and its contributions to the advancement of global measurement standards," Park said. "I will strengthen cooperation with member states in response to changes in the advanced science and technology environment, and expand South Korea's role and contribution in the field of global measurement standards."