Who Is Park Hongkun, the Harvard Professor Recruited by Samsung Electronics?

(Seoul=Yonhap Infomax) Young Sook Yoon = Samsung Electronics Co., South Korea's largest company by market value, has made a strategic move to bolster its future semiconductor and quantum technology capabilities by appointing a world-renowned scholar.

On the 21st, Samsung Electronics announced the appointment of Professor Park Hongkun of Harvard University as President and Head of the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), formerly known as Samsung General Technology Institute.

Professor Park, recognized globally as a leading scholar, is a professor of Chemistry and Physics at Harvard University. For over 25 years, he has led pioneering research in basic science, nanotechnology, and quantum technologies. His connection with Samsung dates back to 2003, when he was awarded the Ho-Am Prize.

Born in 1967, Professor Park graduated from the Department of Chemistry at Seoul National University in 1990 and earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stanford University in 1996. In 1999, in his early 30s, he was appointed as an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at Harvard University. Over the past 25 years, he has conducted innovative research spanning basic science and engineering, including nano-structured electronic devices, quantum information transfer, and bio-nano interfaces. His expertise aligns closely with future technologies targeted by Samsung Electronics, such as quantum computing and neuromorphic semiconductors. Neuromorphic semiconductors are next-generation chips that integrate AI and neuroscience principles.

Samsung Electronics highly valued Professor Park's broad research spectrum and recruited him as the new head of SAIT.

SAIT, established in 1987, serves as Samsung Electronics' corporate research institute leading the company's future technology initiatives. Rather than focusing on near-commercialization product development, SAIT acts as a "technology think tank," exploring and researching technologies five to ten years ahead of the market.

SAIT possesses core technologies in AI accelerators using deep learning, next-generation semiconductors, displays (OLED, QD), and battery materials. Notably, products such as mobile NPUs and QLED TVs originated from SAIT's research.

Professor Park will assume the role of President at Samsung Electronics and oversee SAIT effective January 1, 2026.

Samsung Electronics stated that, as head of SAIT, Professor Park is expected to lead research in future devices such as quantum computing and neuromorphic semiconductors, leveraging his expertise in nanotechnology and interdisciplinary innovation.

With global big tech companies intensifying competition in AI, quantum, and neuromorphic technologies, Samsung's recruitment of Professor Park signals a decisive shift toward technology transformation rooted in basic science, beyond a mere personnel change.

This appointment is also seen as a declaration of Samsung Electronics' intent to restore its "technology leadership" amid paradigm shifts in the AI era. As competition in semiconductors intensifies, the company is signaling a stronger commitment to investing in basic and future technologies centered on SAIT.

Samsung Electronics explained, "To accelerate research into next-generation semiconductor technologies and transition into an AI-driven company, we have boldly appointed top experts as head of SAIT and CTO of the DX Division, laying the foundation to seize opportunities in the AI era."

Meanwhile, to further accelerate its transition to an "AI-driven company," Samsung promoted software expert Jang Hyun Yoon, CEO of Samsung Venture Investment, to President and CTO of the DX Division and Head of Samsung Research.

President Yoon, a software specialist from the MX Division, has led investments in promising technologies such as AI, robotics, biotech, and semiconductors since taking the helm at Samsung Venture Investment late last year. The company is expected to focus on strengthening future growth engines by creating synergies between its core businesses—mobile, TV, and home appliances—and future technologies such as AI and robotics.

ysyoon@yna.co.kr

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