KAIST acting president stays on after board rejects reappointment

KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung will continue to serve as acting president until a new chief is appointed, after initially signaling his resignation following the board’s rejection of his reappointment. He announced on March 13 that he would stay on to ensure continuity in Korea’s top science and engineering university.

The decision to keep him in place was described as aimed at minimizing confusion for students, researchers, and staff, and to reduce uncertainty around government science and technology policy during a period of governance discussions at KAIST. Lee said he accepted the board’s request to remain in his current role until a successor is named.

Lee noted that, while he had previously signaled his intention to resign on moral grounds, debates over KAIST governance and the constitutional framework governing leadership changes have been ongoing. He said the leadership gap could become a problem if allowed to persist, particularly as the government pushes major science and technology policies.

Following the board’s decision, political and academic voices cautioning against a leadership vacuum grew. On March 3, Kim Hyun, a member of the Democratic Party, proposed legislation that would broaden participation by KAIST members in the selection of the university’s next president, signaling ongoing debates over governance reforms at the institution.

Lee stressed that it is essential to maintain stable university operations during a pivotal period for South Korea’s science and technology strategy, including policies tied to the government’s AI initiative known as the “AI 3강” plan. He said KAIST must continue contributing to national aims while preserving public trust in the university’s leadership.

KAIST is South Korea’s premier science and technology university, playing a central role in research and talent development. The institution’s leadership continuity is watched closely in Washington, given the close, growing cooperation between the United States and Korea on advanced technologies, AI development, semiconductor supply chains, and joint research initiatives.

For U.S. readers, the case highlights how leadership stability at Korea’s top research universities can influence cross-border collaboration, technology policy alignment, and the resilience of international research partnerships amid evolving governance and regulatory debates.