Lee Eun-young was inaugurated as the new director of the National Science Museum on the 21st. She is the first female director since the museum opened.
Lee entered public service through the 43rd civil service examination and served in the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) as director of the Convergence Technology Division, the Future Technology Division, the Software Industry Division, and the Performance Evaluation Policy Division, as well as Research Achievement Innovation Officer. She was also the first woman at the ministry to be promoted to senior secretary. She graduated from Seoul National University and earned a master's degree in public administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom.
In her inaugural address that day, Lee said, "I will transform the National Science Museum into a platform connecting science and technology with the public, and into a science museum that all generations will want to visit again." She presented three key directions to achieve this: expanding visitor-driven experiences, responding to a super-aged society and preparing for the museum's 100th anniversary, and fostering a communication-centered organizational culture.
First, the museum will expand hands-on exhibitions and educational programs where visitors can directly touch and operate exhibits, understanding scientific principles through trial and error. The museum also plans to share the content it develops with other science museums.
Beyond quantitative growth of one million visitors per year, the museum will explore new roles in response to demographic changes. It will expand convergence with other fields such as art and culture, and prepare a mid- to long-term vision for the museum's 100th anniversary. The museum will also create an environment where employees' ideas lead to actual projects and organizational results through collaboration with colleagues.
"I will make it possible for the public to easily and enjoyably experience the science and technology that embody researchers' sweat and challenges," Lee said. "I will do my best so that the National Science Museum can nurture future scientific talent and leap forward as a world-class science museum beloved by the public."
