2009 Korea Top 10 New Technologies

Hyundai Motor Co’s own development of V8 Gasoline Tau Engine wins Presidential Award

The Ministry of Knowledge Economy (MKE) announced the list of the 2009 Korea Top 10 New Technologies at the Seoul Grand InterContinental Hotel on Dec. 15. The grand prix, the Presidential Award, went to Hyundai Motor Co’s own development of the V8 Gasoline Engine Tau, a high-power, highly-efficient engine, which is now fitted in its flagship brands ―Genesis and Equus.
The localization rate of the latest engine is 93 percent and 91 percent in terms of the number of parts and value. The engine, which was put on the list of Ward’s 10 Best Engines, announced this past January, is considered to be essential for the Korean automaker to enter the deluxe car market in the United States.
The gold prize, the Prime Minister’s Award-winning technologies went to Samsung Electronics’ new concept, full-touch screen “Jet Phone;” SKC’s technology related to the production of biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) film; and Amore Pacific’s development of Compound K and Ginsenoside F1, the rare substances of red ginseng, known as anti-aging ones.
The combined sales of the 2009 top technology award winners were estimated at 7.1 trillion won, and the figure is projected to grow to 11.3 trillion won in 2010.
The award winners, the world’s first-class and world’s top-class technologies, were selected out of 33 top-10 new technology nominations by a screening committee, comprising of experts from electric, electronics, machinery, aerospace, materials, chemical, life science and other fields.
Kiturami Chairman Choi Jin-min was decorated with the Order of Industrial Service, Gold Tower in recognition of his contribution to continuous research activities and industry-academia collaboration, while ebiocons was awarded with the Order of Industrial Service, Silver Tower. Samsung Heavy Industries Vice President Park Jung-heum won the Order of Industrial Service, Bronze Tower.
MKE Vice Minister Rim Chae-min said in a speech at the award ceremony, “We’re striving to dramatically eliminate technology-related restrictions that hinder corporate competiveness, and out of the MKE’s total R&D budget, 4.4 trillion won will be funneled into investments in such strategic areas as new growth engines and green energy knowledge. He urged the participants to do their utmost as industry technology professionals to provide hope to people and not rest on their laurels, saying that the industrial technology professionals who have devoted themselves to achieve great outcomes are genuine national heroes. nw

(photo from top) Vice Minister of Knowledge Economy Rim Chae-min give a speech at the 2009 Korea Top 10 New Technologies Awards on Dec. 15,; Award winners,; and the grand prix, the Presidential Award-winning V8 Gasoline Engine Tau.