Lee Hyo-yeon, former professor, named new head of Jeju Technopark... 35 years of experience in biotechnology research

【Financial News Jeju = Reporter Jung Yong-bok】 Lee Hyo-yeon, a former professor at Jeju National University, has been appointed the seventh head of Jeju Technopark, which supports technology development and commercialization for companies in Jeju Province. An expert in biotechnology who has spent 35 years teaching and conducting research at universities, he will oversee support for local businesses and the development of future industries over the next two years.
According to Jeju Special Self-Governing Province on the 26th, Governor Wi Seong-gon presented the newly appointed head with his letter of appointment that day at Tamna Hall in the provincial government office. His term runs from that day through October 25, 2028.
Nine people applied in the open recruitment for the position. After document screening and interviews by the Head Recommendation Committee, multiple candidates were recommended, and Lee was selected following the final review.
Lee, who was born in 1961, graduated from the Department of Horticulture at Jeju National University and earned master’s and doctoral degrees in genetic physiology from the graduate school of Tohoku University in Japan. He then served as a professor at Jeju National University for 35 years, holding positions including director of the Office of Planning and inaugural director of the Subtropical Horticulture Industry Research Institute.
He served as president of the Korean Society for Plant Biotechnology from 2021 to 2022 and was also a member of the Environmental Impact Assessment Review Committee of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. He built his career in biotechnology and the management of university research organizations.
Jeju Technopark is a regional industrial innovation hub jointly established by the central government and Jeju Province in 2010. Through cooperation among universities, research institutions, businesses and government agencies, it fosters regional industries and supports small and medium-sized enterprises from technology development through product manufacturing, commercialization and market development.
In particular, it supports the commercialization of technology in Jeju Province’s bioindustry and agri-food manufacturing sectors, AI and digital transformation, and the development of industrial infrastructure in the energy sector. Technology commercialization is the process of turning research and development outcomes into actual products or services so they can be used in the market.
With the new head taking office, Jeju Technopark will continue its initiatives to strengthen the technological competitiveness of local businesses and foster future industries. A key challenge will be finding ways to connect the research experience he gained at university with business support and industrial practice.
Governor Wi said, "I hope you will play a pivotal role in strengthening companies’ competitiveness through collaboration among industry, academia and research institutions, and in fostering a sustainable regional industrial ecosystem."
Lee’s inauguration ceremony is scheduled to take place at Jeju Venture Maru at 4:30 p.m. that day.


[email protected] Jung Yong-bok Reporter