[Panelist]

Kyungchan Kim

NVC Partners Co. Ltd.
CEO

Dr. Kyungchan Kim earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). He also holds a Master of Engineering Management from Northwestern University’s McCormick School of Engineering and an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the Kellogg School of Management. Dr. Kim has extensive professional experience in new business development, venture investment, and mergers and acquisitions at major Korean corporations, including SK Group and GS Group. He has also worked as a professional analyst and investor at financial institutions such as the Hana Institute of Finance of Hana Financial Group and Donghoon Investment. Since 2018, Dr. Kim has served as the founder and Chief Executive Officer of NVC Partners Co., Ltd., one of Busan’s leading venture capital firms. In particular, through the management of multiple marine emerging-industry funds and fisheries venture funds, he has contributed to the growth of startups and mid-sized companies in the marine and fisheries sectors.

[Speaker]

Hyunjung Shim

KAIST (Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI)
Associate Professor

Dr. Hyunjung Shim received her B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Yonsei University and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University. She built her research expertise in computer vision and AI through positions at Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, and subsequently served as Assistant and Associate Professor at Yonsei University's School of Integrated Technology. Dr. Shim currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI, KAIST, where she leads the Computer Vision and Machine Learning (CVML) Laboratory. Her primary research interests include vision-language foundation models, deep generative models, 3D vision, and trustworthy AI. In addition, Dr. Shim contributes to the global computer vision community through active editorial and organizational leadership. She serves as an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence (TPAMI) and as Program Chair of the Asian Conference on Computer Vision (ACCV) 2026, and has served as Area Chair for top-tier AI conferences including CVPR, ICCV, ECCV, and NeurIPS. Dr. Shim also serves on domestic academic committees, including the Korean Conference on Computer Vision (KCVS) and the AI Society of the Korean Institute of Information Scientists and Engineers, and served as an Independent Director of Dongwon Industries from 2024 till now contributing her expertise across both academic and industry settings.

[Panelist]

Kisuc Kim

AGAVITA
CEO

Kisuc Kim has built his professional expertise in the commercialization and field deployment of advanced technologies through his experience in autonomous driving and AI-based mobility. He worked at GM (General Motors) Cruise in the United States and HMG (Hyundai Motor Group) 42dot in Korea, where he was involved in autonomous driving validation and verification, operational systems, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and the commercialization of autonomous mobility services. He is currently the Founder and CEO of AGAVITA and a Ph.D. student in Fisheries Physics at Pukyong National University. His work focuses on the convergence of fisheries and artificial intelligence, particularly Vision AI technologies for smart aquaculture. At AGAVITA, he leads the development of underwater fish recognition, non-contact biomass estimation, and behavioral analysis technologies for high-value aquaculture species, particularly Pacific bluefin tuna, as well as initiatives to standardize aquaculture production data. Kim is expanding AGAVITA’s field validation and international collaboration with fisheries and aquaculture organizations in Korea, Japan, Spain, Norway, Russia, and other countries. He also collaborates with research organizations, including the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), on fisheries data standardization and AI-driven innovation in the fisheries and aquaculture industries.

[Track 2 Moderator]

Yoo-Won Lee

Pukyong National University
Professor

Dr. [Yoo-Won Lee] received a degree in [Fishing Science] from [Hokkaido University] and has built expertise in the field through research positions at [Pukyoung National University] and [Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology]. Dr. [Lee] is currently a [Professor] at [Pukyong National University] and also serves as the [Dean] of [College of Fisheries Sciences] and [Director] of [Institute of Fisheries Sciences], leading international collaborative research and cooperation initiatives. His primary research interests include [Fishing Vessel Safety Management], [Safety of Fisher during Fishing Operation], and [Risk Assessment]. In addition, Dr. [Lee] has planned and implemented international cooperation and Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects, contributing to capacity building and the development of sustainable management systems in [Western Pacific Island Nations/Republic of Fiji and Republic of Palau].

[Panelist]

RYU WON KYUNG

KOREA ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION
Executive Director

Executive Director Won-Kyung, RYU majored in Analytical Chemistry at Dankook University Graduate School and built his expertise by conducting research on the cross-industry application of cutting-edge technologies, including roles at the Convergence Planning Department of the Korea Electronics Association (KEA). He currently serves as the Head of the Technology Innovation Division at KEA, overseeing government and corporate support initiatives while managing the Patent & Component Support Department, Electronics Manufacturing Center, Digital Distribution Center, and XR Convergence Center. He also plans and executes various new government projects; notably, he is currently leading the "Tech-GPT" project, which utilizes generative AI to provide companies and researchers with essential information regarding technologies, talent, and enterprises. Additionally, he serves as an expert for the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) technical committees TC111 and TC59, and contributes to international cooperation and policy development—including through his role as Chair of the Home Appliance AI Standardization Committee within the M.AX Alliance.

[Speaker]

Yeo Dong Jin

Dr. Dong Jin Yeo earned his degrees in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from Seoul National University and has built over 20 years of expertise through research in the naval architecture and ocean engineering field at the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO). Dr. Yeo is currently a Principal Researcher at KRISO. He participated in the Korea Autonomous Surface Ship (KASS) R&D project (conducted from 2020 to 2025), where he led the development of the Navigation Expert system for MASS Operation (NEMO) as well as the development of verification systems and processes for intelligent navigation systems of MASS. In addition, he serves as the Head of Technology Management Team of Integrated Project Office for the " AI-Driven Autonomous Ship Technology Development Project"—a multi-ministerial R&D initiative recently launched by the Ministry of Trade Industry and Resources (MOTIR) and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF)— where he coordinates the integration and coordination of core technologies developed across the project. Dr. Yeo is also actively engaged in international and domestic communities. He has served as a member of the Maneuvering Committee of the International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC), serves as an editorial board of International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering(IJNAOE), and acts as a Project Leader for the ISO Smart Shipping Subcommittee (ISO/TC 8/SC 26), thereby contributing significantly to the advancement of the global and domestic naval architecture and ocean engineering fields.

[Speaker]

Maritime Humanities and the Humanities: Ocean Discourse in the Anthropocene

Jeong Moon-Soo

Institute of International Maritime Affairs
Director

He has served, or is currently serving, in a number of academic and public roles, including as Principal Investigator for the National Research Foundation of Korea’s Humanities Korea (HK) Project (2008–2018), Humanities Korea Plus (HK+) Project (2018–2025), and Humanities and Social Sciences Research Institute Support Program (2025–2031). He has also served as a member of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ Advisory Committee on the Northern Sea Route, Chair of the Korea-Germany Cultural Exchange Foundation, President of the Global Regional Studies Association, Chair of the Marine and Fisheries Division of the Busan Metropolitan City Policy Research Council, a member of the Busan Ilbo “Buil Sillon” editorial board, and a member of the KBS Busan Audience Committee. His major authored and translated works include Methodology for the Study of Cultural Interactions in Sea Port Cities, The Relationship between Maritime Studies and the Humanities, Discourses on Bada Humanities, The Free Sea, and Bada Humanities.

[Speaker]

Sally (Suyeon Choe)

SELLY UNIVERSE
REPRESENTATIVE

Su-yeon Choe graduated from Mokpo National Maritime University with a bachelor's degree in Marine Engineering. She has built a strong foundation for engagement in the maritime sector by operating a specialized YouTube channel dedicated to interviews on maritime careers, currently reaching 14,000 subscribers. She presently serves as an official creator for the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. As the representative of a specialized maritime content platform, she oversees projects aimed at promoting diverse maritime professions and raising public awareness. Her primary areas of focus include maritime career exploration and the public engagement of maritime industries. She also serves as an executive committee member of the Korea Women’s Maritime Association and as a member of the Korea Coast Guard’s Central Maritime Search and Rescue Technical Committee, contributing to the promotion of maritime safety and related policies.

[Speaker]

EXO (Sunho Lee)

EXOPLANET Co., Ltd
CEO

Lee Sun-ho | Science Communicator & Medical Science Expert Making Science Accessible, Engaging, and Relevant to Our Everyday Lives Lee Sun-ho is a distinguished science communicator and medical science expert with a strong academic background in biotechnology and medicine. He graduated one year early as the valedictorian of Catholic University’s Department of Biotechnology, earned a Master’s degree in Medicine from Seoul National University College of Medicine, and completed coursework toward a Ph.D. in Medicineat Seoul National University. He currently serves as the CEO of Exoplanetand has been a Science Communicator appointed by the Minister of Science and ICT since 2017, actively contributing to the public understanding of science. With extensive experience across television, radio, podcasts, and digital media, Lee has become widely recognized for making complex scientific concepts easy and entertaining to understand. He has hosted science programs including “Exo’s Oh My Science” on KBS FM Daehangil, “What Science Is This?” on EBS, and the science segment of the popular podcast and YouTube show “MaeBul Show.”He also hosted the acclaimed science podcast “Gwajangchang”and runs the YouTube channel “Science-Only Scientist (GwaBunSsa).” His expertise extends beyond media and education. He served as a lecturer on space launch vehicles for the Algerian Space Agencyand as a scientific advisor for Netflix’s “Busted!”, demonstrating his broad expertise spanning medicine, science, space, and popular culture.

[Speaker]

Ji-hye Jin

Ji-hye Jin earned her degree in Aquatic Life Medicine from Pukyong National University. She currently serves as Director of an Aquatic Organism Disease Inspection Center, where she has developed extensive professional expertise through a wide range of clinical cases and field-based practice. As a licensed Aquatic Organism Disease Inspector, she oversees quarantine operations across roughly 70 designated facilities for imported and exported aquatic species in the Metropolitan Area. She also chairs the Quarantine Management Division of the Korean Aquatic Animal Disease Inspector Association (KADIA), advancing field operations and quarantine practices. As a Public Aquatic Organism Disease Inspector for Incheon City, she conducts disease surveillance across local holding and aquaculture facilities. Working closely with farm operators and field personnel, she helps prevent disease outbreaks and promotes effective health management practices. She provides tailored lectures on aquatic diseases for university students, local disease-control personnel, industry experts, and the public. Additionally, she leads a case-collection project on ornamental fish diseases to bridge the data gap in this under-researched field. Beyond ornamental species, she handles disease cases in commercial aquaculture, collaborating with universities and research institutes to investigate outbreaks and publish academic findings.

[Speaker]

Jeju Research Institute
Director

Dr. Dong Sung Kim received a Master’s degree in zoology (1992), and obtained a Ph.D. degree in biological science (1996) both from Tokyo University. Dr. Kim returned to his home country as a prospective young scientist under the National Brain Pool Program. Since his return to Korea, Dr. Kim has dedicated to broaden and firm domestic research foundation as a physiological ecology specialist in field of meiobenthos. Dr. Kim is the pioneer Korean scientist who was onboard the manned underwater vehicle ‘Shinkai 6500’ to explore the hydrothermal vent named “Kairei” first discovered in the Indian Ocean. Successively, he had joined a tri-lateral (Korea, Japan, USA) international expedition team to explore the world’s deepest abyss called as “Mariana Trench” (11,000km/Kaiko). Throughout these experiences, he led an exploratory voyage in 2018 to the High Sea of the Indian Ocean to discover the hydrothermal vent ecosystem named “Onuri”-the first hydrothermal vent ecosystem discovered by Korea but the 4th by the international competitors—resulting in the successful collection of various samples which obtained novel creatures and natural products and writing a number of research outcome papers. In 2012, Dr. Kim was a principal investigator again leading an expedition team to the Indian Ocean to discover a new hydrothermal vent ecosystem named “Onbada” as the second discovery by Korea and discovered the 3rd one named “Onnarae”, contributing to the advancement of research capabilities in area of deep sea extremophile ecosystem. Furthermore, Dr. Kim has led a scientific team for many years to develop research plans about the East Sea and Dokdo micro-and meio-fauna ecosystem. He also has contributed to the advancement of national marine science by actively participating in a number of meetings to develop national and public marine policies and solutions for domestic coastal problems. Presently, Dr. Kim is Director for External Affairs of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST), a Member of the Review Committee on Marine Area Use Effect organized by the Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries, a Special Advisor for the National Ocean Science Museum, Secretary-General of Green Growth Ocean Forum, a Board Member and an Auditor of the Society of Marine Environment and Biology, Chair of the Committee on Marine Science of the Society of Marine Environment and Biology, a Board Member and Vice-President of Incorporated Association of Korea Marine Policy, a Registered Board Member of Incorporated Association of Gyeonggi Bay Forum, and an Editor of the Journal of the Korean Society of Oceanography. In addition, Dr. Kim was a Research Fellow at the Marine Policy Department of the University of Delaware, USA, a Member of the Fundamental Research Promotion Sub-Council under the Presidential Advisory Council on Science and Technology, a Member of the Council on Gyeongbuk East Sea Marine Fishery Development, a Member of Marine Policy Advisory Committee of Uljin County, and a Board Member of Incorporated Association of Dokdo Marine Fishery Research. Dr. Kim also served as Director of Strategy Development Division, Director of Marine Biology Division, Director-General of Fundamental Research Department, Director-General of the East Sea Research Institute all under KIOST.