| National Scientist of the Republic of Korea | |
| Presenter: | Ministry of Education, Science and Technology |
| Country: | South Korea |
| Year: | 2005 |
| Holder Label: | Number of laureates |
| Holder: | 11 |
| Reward: | Multi-year research funding |
| Rr: | Daehanmingung Gukga Gwahakja |
| Mr: | Taehanmin'gung Kukka Kwahakcha |
National Scientist of the Republic of Korea was an award bestowed between 2005 and 2012. The prize was established by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to achieve the world's best research results by providing research funds of 1.5 billion KRW per year to a total of 10 scientists. Research prize funding ended when their affiliation changed.[1] Envisioned as the highest scientific award of the nation, it was initially presented to Hwang Woo-suk in 2005 under the name Top Scientist (최고과학자) with an annual funding prize of 3 billion KRW given over three years.[2] [3] Due to his scandal, the award was withdrawn from Hwang, the name of the prize was changed and the research funding was reduced.[4] The reformed award was given in 2006,[5] 2007,[6] 2010[7] and last bestowed in 2012.[8] [9] [10] The end of the award coincided with the founding of the Institute for Basic Science with five laureates changing their affiliation to the new institute.[1]
| Year | Laureate | Institution | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Rhee Sue-goo (Korean: 이서구) Shin Hee-Sup (Korean: 신희섭) | Ewha Womans University Korea Institute of Science and Technology | |
| 2007 | Ryoo Ryong (Korean: 유룡) | KAIST | |
| 2010 | Kim V. Narry (Korean: 김빛내리) Noh Tae-won (Korean: 노태원) Nam Hong Gil (Korean: 남홍길) Kim Kwang Soo (Korean: 김광수) Hwang Jun-Muk (Korean: 황준묵) | Seoul National University Seoul National University Pohang University of Science and Technology Pohang University of Science and Technology Korea Institute for Advanced Study | |
| 2012 | Kaang Bong-kiun (Korean: 강봉균) Kim Seungu (김승우) | Seoul National University KAIST |