Mr. Yong-Hwan Kim, the South Korean Minister of Science & Technology, visited the AIST Tsukuba on November 28, 2001.

His main purpose for visiting Japan was to attend the Ministerial-Level Meeting of FNCA (Forum for Nuclear Cooperation in Asia) held in Tokyo. He made a trip to Tsukuba because of his keen interest in Tsukuba Science City and visited AIST, which is regarded as one of the largest research institutes in the Science City.

The Minister, who arrived at Narita Airport in the morning on November 28th, went directly to AIST, met AIST Trustees and visited several laboratories. AIST Trustees, Drs. Tanaka, Ohashi and Soga, gave a hearty welcome to the Minister and outlined the profile of AIST. Mr. Kim expressed his delight in visiting AIST.

He visited the Gene Discovery Center and Nano Technology Research Center (NTRC), where AIST researchers described the latest technology concerning 'FGF Growth Factor' and nanotechnology. In NTRC, they showed him the facilities for scanning probe microscopy.

Mr. Kim is well known not only as Minister but also as a poet and an essayist. We felt his flexible and openhearted personality through his friendliness.

We believe the Minister's visit will have a fruitful influence on the bilateral cooperation in science & technology.