By Ian Werther in News — 13 Mar 2026

KAIST acting president to remain in post as new leader search delays

KAIST president Lee Kwang-hyung has said he will continue to serve as acting president until a new president is appointed, following a request from the university’s board. The move comes as the selection process for the next head of KAIST has faced delays.

The board’s decision aims to keep university operations stable and minimize disruption to teaching and research activities, KAIST said. Lee acknowledged the growing concerns among faculty, students, staff, and the public about the delays and the disruption they could cause.

White paper with typed black text
Mr. S.G. Sollenberger
Acting Superintendent
Gettysburg National Military Park
Gettysburg
Penna.
Dear Mr. Sollenberger:
At our recent meeting in Richmond, Judge Wm. M. Beard read a letter from Mr. Donald De Lue, the sculptor, in which he said it was very doubtful the bronze figure would be ready in time for the June 3rd dedication.
Although he through there was still some hope, we agreed that in view of the element of doubt, we should postpone the date until possibly the last week in August. Will you please let me know if this time would be convenient with the Park officials.
Just as soon as the bronze is back safely on our shores we can then set the date but the strike had delayed shipping and to be on the safe side, we all felt we should not set an exact date until we are sure of its return. We hope that many school children may include this in their vacation plans and this is why we are considering August rather than later.
Very sincerely,
Maynelle S. Smith
Mrs. Robert H. Smith
Chairman of Arrangements
UDC
Keywords: gettysburg; battlfield; education; virtual experience; photography; monuments; memorials — Representative image for context; not directly related to the specific event in this article. License: Public domain. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Lee had previously signaled a willingness to resign on ethical grounds, but ongoing discussions about changes to the president selection process and KAIST governance prompted concerns about a leadership vacuum. The board reportedly asked him to remain in his current role until the successor is chosen.

He said maintaining stability at a pivotal time for the university was essential, noting that uncertainty could affect educational and research work and Korea’s broader science and technology policy. He referenced the government’s national AI strategy, referred to in Korea as the “AI 3강” plan, and the potential impact on KAIST’s role within that framework.

Geese and ducks at the lake in KAIST campus — Representative image for context; not directly related to the specific event in this article. License: CC0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Lee stressed KAIST’s enduring mission, emphasizing the institution’s growth through the dedication of its members. He pledged to continue contributing to strengthening Korea’s science and technology competitiveness amid global technology rivalries and to do so with the public’s trust.

KAIST is one of South Korea’s premier research universities, based in Daejeon, with a strong focus on science and engineering. The leadership transition, and KAIST’s ability to align with national AI and tech strategies, has implications for international collaborations, supply chains, and technology development that involve the United States and other partners.

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