Born: 1948
Biography:
Kwang Hwa Chung (Korean: 정광화, born 1948) is a South Korean physicist who has made significant contributions to the fields of physics and women’s representation in STEM. Throughout her career, she has served as the president of the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science and the president of the Institute for Basic Science.
Born in 1948, Chung grew up in South Korea and attended Gyeonggi Girls’ High School. Her passion for physics led her to pursue further education at Seoul National University, where she studied physics and completed her undergraduate studies in 1970. Recognized for her academic excellence, Chung was then granted the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. in particle physics at the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania. In 1977, she successfully defended her dissertation titled Chiral calculations of the phase shifts for the π, K system.
During her time at the University of Pittsburgh, Chung married her classmate, Kyungsoo Jeong, who went on to work at the Defense Science Research Institute in Seoul. This union marked the beginning of a successful career couple dedicated to advancing scientific research and innovation in South Korea.
Upon returning to South Korea, Chung joined the Korea Standards Research Institute (later known as the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science), becoming the first female doctoral researcher at the institution in 1978. Her pioneering role was accompanied by numerous challenges, as she was one of only two women scientists working at the institute at the time. Despite these obstacles, Chung persevered and excelled in her field, specializing in vacuum measurements.
Throughout her career, Chung held various leadership positions within the institute, including the head of the mass standard laboratory and the head of the pressure and vacuum laboratory. Her expertise and dedication to measurement standards have been recognized both domestically and internationally. Chung holds patents for novel devices such as a plasma electron density measurement and monitor, as well as a gas flow velocity distribution analyzer.
In addition to her scientific contributions, Chung is a strong advocate for women in STEM fields. In 1993, she co-founded the Association of Korean Woman Scientists and Engineers to support and empower women in science and technology. Chung served as the organization’s third and fourth president from 2000 to 2004. Under her leadership, the association pressed for legislation to encourage the participation of women in STEM disciplines. Their efforts culminated in the passing of the Act on Fostering and Supporting Women Scientists and Engineers in 2002. In recognition of her contributions to this cause, Chung was awarded the Science and Technology Grand Prize by the National Assembly.
Chung’s dedication to gender equality extended beyond advocacy. Alongside her colleague, Se-hwa Oh, she established a daycare center in Daedeok Innopolis, providing support to working women and helping them navigate the dual responsibilities of work and family.
In recognition of her scientific research and contributions, Kwang Hwa Chung was honored with the Moran Medal of the Order of Civil Merit in 2000. This prestigious award acknowledged her outstanding achievements and contributions to her field.
Throughout her career, Chung has exemplified excellence in scientific research, leadership, and advocacy for women in STEM. Her pioneering work at the Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, her instrumental role in promoting women’s representation in science and technology, and her contribution to the advancement of measurement standards have left an indelible impact on South Korea’s scientific community and society as a whole.
Awards:
– Moran Medal of the Order of Civil Merit (2000)
– Science and Technology Grand Prize by the National Assembly