KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung has withdrawn his resignation. Lee plans to continue serving until a new president is appointed.
According to sources in the scientific community and KAIST on the 12th, the institute has canceled Lee's farewell ceremony that was scheduled for the morning of the 16th. With a new presidential search now inevitable and the selection process expected to take several more months, the decision is seen as a measure to minimize leadership vacuum and administrative confusion on campus.
Lee's term ended in February last year. In March last year, the KAIST Presidential Candidate Selection Committee recommended three candidates: Lee, Professor Kim Jung-ho of the School of Electrical Engineering, and former UNIST President Lee Yong-hoon. The board of trustees held a special meeting to select the next president on the 26th of last month—more than a year later—but failed to produce a candidate with majority support from sitting trustees, rejecting the nomination and deciding to reopen the search. This marks the first time in KAIST's 55-year history that a presidential nomination has been rejected. Selection required at least 8 votes from the 14 voting trustees, but none of the three candidates reportedly reached the threshold.
Immediately after the board meeting, Lee announced he would take responsibility and step down effective the 16th of this month, subsequently submitting his resignation letter. Under the original plan, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Lee Kyun-min was to serve as acting president starting the 17th. However, as the new search process began in earnest, concerns grew over a prolonged leadership vacuum. Lee ultimately agreed to remain in his role until a successor is appointed to ensure stable university operations.
"I previously expressed my intention to resign to take moral responsibility, but concerns about a leadership vacuum have grown as discussions continue on legal amendments related to the presidential selection system and important changes to KAIST governance," Lee said. "I have decided to accept the board's request to stay on and continue my duties until a new president is selected, given the need to maintain operational stability during this critical period."