Hansol Group, KAIST to launch new tech, AI research center

South Korea’s Hansol Group and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) have agreed to establish a research center to develop new technologies in advanced materials, parts, equipment and artificial intelligence (AI).

Lee Jae-hee, chief executive of Hansol Holdings Co. and KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung on Tuesday signed an agreement on the launch of the KAIST-Hansol Materials & Components Innovation Research Center.

To finance the research projects, Hansol Group said it will invest 500 million won ($350,100) annually through 2025 for a total of 1.5 billion won.

Engineers from Hansol Group affiliates such as Hansol Paper Co., power board module maker Hansol Technics Co. and  IONES Co., a semiconductor equipment and parts manufacturer, will collaborate with KAIST researchers in the development of new technologies, the group said.

Choi Sung-yool, a KAIST electrical and electronic engineering department professor, will head the research center, it said.

“Hansol has the know-how in the manufacturing industry, while KAIST has strengths in the research of advanced materials, electronics and machinery. We expect synergy from our academic-industry collaboration,” said the KAIST president.

Write to Dae-Kyu Ahn at powerzanic@hankyung.com
In-Soo Nam edited this article.