Established in 1976 with a vision to transform Korea into a world leader for information technology, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) is Korea’s largest government-funded research institute. Perhaps one of the most important contributors to Korean’s current stature as the most wired country in the world is Park Jong-Pal, the director of public relations at ETRI.
On December 30, Hong Suk-Woo, the Minister of Knowledge Economy (MKE), awarded a medal of honor to Park for his efforts to promote and disseminate ETRI’s research and knowledge to the general public.
Park was recognized as one of the most valuable scientists of our generation for advocating IT knowledge to the public through publishing a series of “Easy IT” books and initiating various programs such as “Exploring IT class” and “Conference for rural schools and multi-cultural families”. Moreover, Park was especially successful at using latest online communications tools such as Twitter and Facebook for his educational outreach.
Upon receiving the award, Mr. Park said, “The Minister’s Medal of Honor demonstrates our progress in our nation’s excellent research and expertise as well as indicates the public’s great interest in scientific progress”. He added, “I will continue to utilize my relationship with the public by sharing ETRI’s technology and plan to continue my activities that contribute to public well-being.”
