SNU Professor Ho-Kyung Kim Awarded Order of Science and Technology Merit (Do-yak Medal)
Recognized for Contributions to Offshore Floating Infrastructure Research


▲ Professor Ho-Kyung Kim, Department of Civil, Urban and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University

Seoul National University College of Engineering announced that Professor Ho-Kyung Kim of the Department of Civil, Urban and Environmental Engineering has been awarded the Do-yak Medal of the Order of Science and Technology Merit at the 59th Science Day commemorative ceremony, under the government awards for outstanding achievements in national R&D, in recognition of his successful leadership of the project titled “Development of Construction Technologies for Multi-purpose Offshore Floating Infrastructure.”

The award recognizes Professor Kim’s academic achievements and industrial contributions in laying the foundation for next-generation marine infrastructure technologies through a national flagship R&D program.

Professor Kim, who serves as the director of the SNU Floating Infrastructure Research Center (FLORA), has been leading efforts to develop design technologies for expandable floating modules based on steel and concrete, as well as next-generation floating bridges, aimed at enabling future utilization of ocean space. In particular, his research focuses on securing core technologies that ensure the safety and usability of ultra-large floating infrastructure under extreme marine conditions, including waves and strong winds. His work is also expanding into areas such as floating vertiports, floating small modular reactors (SMRs), and floating offshore wind power systems.

“I am honored that the collective efforts of researchers from 15 participating institutions, including our research center, have been recognized,” said Professor Kim. “We will continue to advance the field of offshore floating infrastructure, including through the use of testbeds in Geoje City.”

Professor Ho-Kyung Kim received his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in civil engineering from Seoul National University. He previously served as a POSCO Endowed Chair Professor and currently holds key positions as Vice President of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) and Director of the Institute of Construction and Environmental Engineering at SNU. He is also set to begin his term as the 59th President of the Korean Society of Civil Engineers (KSCE) in 2027.


[Contact Information]
Byoungju Go, Researcher,  Structural Design Laboratory, Department of Civil, Urban and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University / kobh0528@snu.ac.kr