Professor Yi Ok Yeon of the Department of Information Security, Cryptography and Mathematics at Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) received the Presidential Citation in the ‘2025 Information Protection Meritorious Service Government Awards’. The award date is December 24, 2025, and the award ceremony was held on Tuesday, January 27, 2026.

▲Photo (provided by Kookmin University) = Professor Yi Ok Yeon (Department of Information Security, Cryptography and Mathematics) receiving the Presidential Commendation

Professor Yi Ok Yeon has dedicated 38 years to research and education in information security and cryptography, contributing to the advancement of public and defense security systems through quantum cryptography and quantum communication-based technologies. He served as Director of the Information Security Research Institute at Kookmin University (2009–present) and President of the Korea Institute of Information Security & Cryptology (2022). He also served as an advisor to the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff (2022–2024) and has been a professor in the Department of Information Security, Cryptography and Mathematics at Kookmin University since 2001.

Professor Yi pioneered the commercialization of security technologies for power grids, public infrastructure, and defense applications. He developed a certified cryptographic module (CM-192-2026.11) for smart grids with the Korea Electric Power Corporation Korea Electric Power Research Institute, enabling the deployment of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) for intelligent power grids. He also commercialized wireless LAN-based secure communication equipment that ensures the confidentiality of environmental and video data for critical military facilities (such as ammunition depots). Furthermore, through a Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources pilot project, it developed LTE, VPN, and quantum cryptography module encryption equipment for drones based on certified cryptographic modules for public services like drone delivery to island regions, contributing to field deployment.

It also led the expansion of quantum security. By developing quantum cryptography modules based on quantum security technology and successfully creating drone security technology using quantum cryptography communication equipment, it demonstrated the potential application of quantum security in public and defense sectors. Furthermore, it developed numerous core technologies, including portable quantum security equipment, integrated PLC and HMI control systems with quantum secure communication devices, LTE encryption equipment for UAVs based on quantum random numbers, and quantum random number generator (QRNG)-based cryptographic modules. By transferring these technologies to domestic SMEs, it spurred the development of new products protecting critical information with quantum security technology. Furthermore, it registered 15 patents related to ‘quantum entropy-based one-time password generation’ covering 5G, 6G, satellite, unmanned vehicle, and IoT security, contributing to the development of the quantum industry.

In terms of talent development, it has also strived to cultivate specialized personnel by conducting 34 R&D projects in industry, public, and defense sectors with emerging researchers and graduate students. Through research on embedding autonomous security in 6G, it proposed application methods for PQC (quantum-resistant cryptography) and QKD (quantum key distribution). It also developed cryptographic modules with verification certificates and qSIM (quantum subscriber identification modules) for defense and public environments, enhancing core confidential data protection systems.

Furthermore, through civil-military cooperation projects, it developed essential certified cryptographic modules, wireless LAN, and 5G mobile communication cryptographic hardware for secure smart avionics suits for drones. As the Head of the Third Research Laboratory at the Defense Cryptography Technology Specialized Research Center, it played a leading role in researching the latest cryptographic technologies and cultivating specialized personnel. In 2020, based on combat experiments with drones equipped with military software-based cryptography, he spearheaded the establishment of the ‘Drone Security Guidelines,’ laying the foundation for the safe introduction of defense drones.

Professor Yi Ok Yeon stated, “This award is thanks to the long-term collaboration of my research team and our industrial, public, and defense partner institutions,” adding, “Building on our accumulated security and cryptography research capabilities, we will contribute to the expansion of quantum security and the development of the quantum industry.”