Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) The Korea Institute for Astronauts (KIFA) held an international academic forum titled 「Space Exploration, Astronauts, and the Space Industry」 on December 16 at the Academic Conference Hall of the Administration Hall. Approximately 100 participants, including domestic and international professors involved in space research, space industry experts, representatives from space-related companies (Korean Air, POSCO, Boryung Pharmaceutical),

along with aspiring future astronauts and university students. Participants from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other regions joined via Zoom, successfully convening the international academic forum titled “Space Exploration, Astronauts, and the Space Industry.”

This event served as an opportunity to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, continuously expanding South Korea's role in deep space exploration and further extending the KIFA network.

Professor Ravi Gupta delivered the keynote address on 「Space Biology and Space Food Production for Sustainable Life Beyond Earth」, while Professor Emmanuel Wolfs spoke on 「Design for Everyone, Everywhere: Space Exploration as Universal Design Education」 Professor Kim Doo Hwan, 83, the inaugural President of the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), and Professor Kim Kyu Sung, President of the National Academy of Space Medicine (NASM) of Korea, shared valuable updates on the status of the national space medicine project. Professor David William Kim, President of KIFA, joined moderator Emily Min, along with Dr. Tara Smith, Dr. Kozma Kim, Stella Choi, Dr. Wesley Smith, Dr. Ashok Narayanamoorthi, Dr. Henderika de Vries, Anderson Wilder, Professor Lee Do Youn, Professor Barrett Caldwell, and Zainab Jamil engaged in forward-looking discussions and Q&A with attendees.

The cutting-edge space science academic research forum hosted by KIFA was also featured in foreign media:

1. World University News: https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20251202091008602

2. Authority News: https://authorityngr.com/2025/12/17/kifa-forum-raises-fresh-hope-for-koreas-astronaut-future/