Past Presidents

25th - 26th President
Chung, Chil Hee 2020-2023
Master’s degree in Physics, entered in 1979
- February 2021 - June 2023: Semiconductor Division Chairman at nepes
- February 2018 - February 2021: Chairman of Nano Technology Research Association
- December 2017 - December 2020: Senior Advisor at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology Center
- December 2015 - November 2017: Head and President of Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology Center
24th President
Cha, Ki Chul 2018-2019
Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, entered in 1980
- 1996 - Present : CEO of InBody(formerly Biospace)
- 1992 - 1995 : Postdoctoral Fellow in Surgery at Harvard Medical School
- 1982 - 1986 : Researcher at Daelim Technology Research & Development Institute
23th President
Koh, Jung Sik 2016-2017
Master’s degree in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, entered in 1977
- June 2023: 8th Chairman of Korea Polytechnic University
- 2010 - Present: Legal Advisor at Kim & Chang
- August 2012 - June 2015: 16th President of Korea Resources Corporation
- May 2008 - April 2010: 20th Commissioner of Korean Intellectual Property Office
- March 2007 - March 2008: Director-General at Energy and Resources Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Energy
22th President
Paik, Man Gi 2014-2015
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, entered in 1976
- November 2022 - Present: Private Sector Chair of the Presidential Council on Intellectual Property
- April 2017: 3rd Director at R&D Strategy and Planning Division of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
- 1999 - Present: Patent Attorney at Kim & Chang
- 1998 - 1999: Director at Examination Division 4 of Korean Intellectual Property Office
- 1997 - 1998: Director at Industrial Technology Division of the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Energy
20th - 21st President
Rim, Hyoung Gyu 2011-2013
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, entered in 1976
- 2017 - January 2018: Chairman of KAIST Alumni Academic Scholarship Foundation
- 2014 - 2016: Vice Chairman at ICT Technology and Growth Division of SK Telecom
- 2008 - 2009: President at New Business Division of Samsung Electronics
- 2005 - 2008: President of Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology
- 2004 - 2005: President at Technology Division and Company-wide CTO of Samsung Electronics
19th President
Lee, Sang Chun 2009-2010
Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, entered in 1974
- June 2014 - July 2017: 1st Chairman of National Research Council of Science & Technology
- September 2008 - August 2011: 14th President of Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials
- March 2001 - February 2005: 11th President of Yeungnam University
- 2001 - 2005: Chairman of Gyeongbuk Technopark
- - 2007: Professor in College of Engineering at Yeungnam University
17th - 18st President
Pyo, Sam Soo 2006-2008
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, entered in 1974
- 2009 - 2010: President at Technology Strategy Division of KT
- October 2005: President of Oracle Korea
- May 2000: Professor in Department of Computer Software at Myongji University
- October 2001 - January 2005: CEO and President of Woori Financial Information System
- January 1999 - December 2000: CEO and President of Hyundai Information Technology
16th President
Kim, Ho Sik 2004-2005
Master’s degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering, entered in 1974
- June 2005 - April 2008: 11th Chairman of the National Pension Corporation
- July 2002 - February 2003: Minister of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries
- June 2001 - July 2002: Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination
- May 1999 - April 2001: Commissioner of Korea Customs Service
- January 1996 - March 1998: Secretary to the President for Economic and Financial Affairs of the Office of the President
15th President
Oh, Gil Rok 2003
Master’s degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering, entered in 1973
- 2001: President of Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute(ETRI)
14th President
Lee, Min Whoa 2001-2002
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, entered in 1976
- 2013 - August 2019: Chairman of Korea Creative Ecosystem Research Network
- February 2011 - February 2016: Chairman of Korea Digital Hospital Export Agency
- July 2009 - November 2010: Corporate Ombudsman at Ombudsman for SMEs
- 1995 - 2000: Founding President of Korea Venture Business Association
- 1985 - 2001: CEO of Medison
13th President
Lee, Sang Yong 1999-2000
Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, entered in 1973
- KAIST Professor in Mechanical Engineering Department
12th President
Whang, Kyu Young 1997-1998
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, entered in 1973
- July 2018 - Present: Member of the Natural Sciences Subdivision 3 at The National Academy of Sciences
- 2016 - Present: Visiting Chair Professor at DGIST
- 2016 - Present: KAIST Emeritus Professor in School of Computing
- 1990: KAIST Professor in School of Computing
11st President
Woo, Seong Ihl 1995-1996
Master’s degree in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, entered in 1973
- KAIST Professor in Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
10th President
Lee, Bum Chun 1993-1994
Master’s degree in Computing, entered in 1973
- CEO of Qnix Computer Co., Ltd.
9th President
Kang, Suck Joong 1991-1992
Master’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering, entered in 1973
- KAIST Professor in Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- September 2015 - March 2018: 3rd President of Korea Institute of Ceramic Engineering and Technology
8th President
Do, Young Kyu 1989-1990
Master’s degree in Chemistry, entered in 1973
- KAIST Professor in Department of Chemistry
7th President
Lee, Jae Kyu 1987-1988
Master’s degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering, entered in 1973
- September 2016 - Present: Director at Bright Internet Global Research Center of Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
- KAIST Honorary Professor in College of Business
- KAIST Professor in College of Business
6th President
Park, Kyu Ho 1985-1986
Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, entered in 1973
- KAIST Professor in School of Electrical Engineering
5th President
Lee, Dong Ho 1983-1984
Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, entered in 1973
- Professor, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University
- Representative of Aerospace Forum
- 1992: Developer of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle 'Doyosae'
- President of The Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
- Founder of Korea Robot Aircraft Competition
4th President
Park, Sung Joo 1981-1982
Master’s degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering, entered in 1973
- 2006: Vice President of KAIST Seoul
- 2001: Dean of KAIST Graduate School of Management
- 1991 - 1992: Visiting Professor in the Department of Management Science at UCLA, USA
- 1984 - 1985: Visiting Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Michigan, USA
- 1980 - Present: KAIST Professor in the Department of Management Engineering & Industrial Management and Graduate School of Management
3rd President
Yang, Dong Yol 1979-1980
Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, entered in 1973
- 2016 - Present: Chair Professor in Division of Liberal Arts and Sciences of GIST
- KAIST Emeritus Professor in Mechanical Engineering Department
- Lifetime Member of The Korean Academy of Science and Technology
2nd President
Lee, Min Hee 1977-1978
Master’s degree in Physics, entered in 1973
- Professor in Department of Physics at Inha University
1st President
Park, Joon Taik 1975-1976
Master’s degree in Chemistry, entered in 1973
- Director of Korea Basic Science Institute
- KAIST Professor in Department of Chemistry