South Korea's Top 2% Scientists 2023: Career-Long List

South Korea has 2,120 scientists on the 2023 career-long Top 2% list, up 11.5% from 1,901 in 2022. That places South Korea 15th in the world by number of listed scientists, up 2 places. Seoul National University has the most listed scientists (169), followed by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (161).

Single Year

3,240

+260 (+8.7%) vs 2022

Career Data

2,120

+219 (+11.5%) vs 2022

World rank by count

#15

up 2 places vs 2022

Institutes

253

+11 (+4.5%) vs 2022

Scientists in South Korea on the list, by year

The career-long count has grown 57% since 2020.

Career-long list, change on the previous year

2021+29.7%

2022+8.6%

2023+11.5%

2024+11.6%

2025+10.7%

Show the numbers

Year	Single Year	Change	Career Data	Change
2020	2,139		1,350
2021	2,715	+26.9%	1,751	+29.7%
2022	2,980	+9.8%	1,901	+8.6%
2023	3,240	+8.7%	2,120	+11.5%
2024	3,498	+8.0%	2,366	+11.6%
2025	3,695	+5.6%	2,620	+10.7%

Top 10 institutes in South Korea

By number of listed scientists

Career-long list2023

Show the list

1Seoul National University169
2Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology161
3Pohang University of Science and Technology96
4Yonsei University96
5Korea University93
6Sungkyunkwan University79
7Hanyang University64
8Kyung Hee University48
9Inha University43
10Kyungpook National University40

All 2,120 scientists

Career-long list2023

The first 100 are free to browse.

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Rank in South Korea	World rank	Scientist	Institute	Sub-field	Rank in sub-field
1	443	RR Ruoff, Rodney S.	Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 16
2	630	MS Mirjalili, Seyedali	Yonsei University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 17
3	952	HT Hyeon, Taeghwan	Seoul National University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 30
4	1,272	LS Lee, Sang Yup	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Biotechnology	Rank 2
5	1,290	PN Park, Nam Gyu	Sungkyunkwan University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 37
6	1,332	RS Rhee, Sue Goo	Yonsei University College of Medicine	Biochemistry & Molecular Biology	Rank 70
7	1,563	FS Fukuzumi, Shunichi	Ewha Womans University	Organic Chemistry	Rank 43
8	1,597	SY Surh, Young Joon	College of Pharmacy	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 70
9	1,776	SY Sun, Yang Kook	Hanyang University	Energy	Rank 18
10	2,238	CJ Cho, Jaephil	Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 54
11	2,277	Park, Ju H.	Yeungnam University	Industrial Engineering & Automation	Rank 7
12	2,570	KS Kim, Se Kwon	Hanyang University ERICA Campus	Food Science	Rank 6
13	2,914	PT Park, Tae Gwan	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Pharmacology & Pharmacy	Rank 16
14	3,775	KK Kim, Ki Hyun	Hanyang University	Environmental Sciences	Rank 17
15	3,985	KV Kim, V. Narry	Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon	Developmental Biology	Rank 216
16	3,990	CW Choi, Wonyong	Korea Institute of Energy Technology	Physical Chemistry	Rank 17
17	5,007	JJ Jang, Jyongsik	Seoul National University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 84
18	5,067	RJ Rhim, Jong Whan	Kyung Hee University	Food Science	Rank 13
19	5,103	SH Srivastava, Hari Mohan	Kyung Hee University	General Mathematics	Rank 10
20	5,521	KK Kim, Kimoon	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Organic Chemistry	Rank 128
21	5,961	GS Granick, Steve	Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology	Chemical Physics	Rank 158
22	7,116	NW Nam, Wonwoo	Ewha Womans University	General Chemistry	Rank 53
23	7,168	HH Han, Heesup	Sejong University	Sport, Leisure & Tourism	Rank 8
24	7,312	RR Ryoo, Ryong	Korea Institute of Energy Technology	Physical Chemistry	Rank 30
25	7,630	BY Bang, Yung Jue	Seoul National University College of Medicine	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 349
26	8,149	KJ Kim, Jong S.	University of Ulsan College of Medicine	Neurology & Neurosurgery	Rank 696
27	8,424	LS Lee, Saro	Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources	Geological & Geomatics Engineering	Rank 18
28	8,707	LB Lee, Byoungho	Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering	Optics	Rank 34
29	8,932	LJ Lee, Jae Sung	Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology	Physical Chemistry	Rank 38
30	9,308	LJ Lee, Jong Heun	Korea University	Materials	Rank 111
31	9,326	KK Kim, Kwang S.	Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology	Chemical Physics	Rank 223
32	9,426	KS Kim, Seong Gi	Sungkyunkwan University	Neurology & Neurosurgery	Rank 806
33	9,505	PS Park, Soo Jin	Inha University	Polymers	Rank 75
34	9,509	YJ Yoon, Juyoung	Ewha Womans University	Organic Chemistry	Rank 209
35	9,921	KD Kim, Dong Hyun	Kyung Hee University	Pharmacology & Pharmacy	Rank 59
36	10,030	GZ Geem, Zong Woo	Gachon University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 205
37	11,077	GA Gent, A. N.	Jeonbuk National University	Polymers	Rank 90
38	11,142	PS Paik, Soonmyung	Yonsei University College of Medicine	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 500
39	12,738	HC Hwang, Cheol Seong	Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center	Applied Physics	Rank 317
40	13,450	HW Holzapfel, Wilhelm Heinrich	Handong Global University	Microbiology	Rank 315
41	13,467	KH Kim, Hyoung Seop	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Materials	Rank 156
42	13,669	KJ Kim, Jihn E.	Kyung Hee University	Nuclear & Particle Physics	Rank 194
43	13,997	KH Kim, Hae Won	Dankook University	Biomedical Engineering	Rank 56
44	14,225	CM Cho, Minhaeng	Korea University	Chemical Physics	Rank 339
45	14,243	DC De Cooman, Bruno C.	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Materials	Rank 168
46	14,684	SS Sul, Seung Ki	Seoul National University	Electrical & Electronic Engineering	Rank 38
47	14,990	LY Lee, Young Moo	Hanyang University	Polymers	Rank 128
48	15,183	GB Grzybowski, Bartosz A.	Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 189
49	15,452	KS Kim, Sanghyun	Pusan National University	General Physics	Rank 90
50	15,617	LC Lee, Chung Hak	Seoul National University	Applied Physics	Rank 376
51	15,913	SG Samara, George A.	University of Ulsan	Applied Physics	Rank 385
52	15,985	KT Kim, Taekyun	Kwangwoon University	General Mathematics	Rank 40
53	16,889	PH Park, Hyun Jin	Korea University	Food Science	Rank 58
54	18,244	HJ Han, Jung Hoon	Sungkyunkwan University	Applied Physics	Rank 440
55	18,615	LH Lee, Haeshin	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 224
56	18,918	AG An, Gynheung	Kyung Hee University	Plant Biology & Botany	Rank 199
57	19,524	SH Sohn, Hoon	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Acoustics	Rank 29
58	19,546	BF Barlat, Frédéric	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Materials	Rank 230
59	19,684	CB Choi, Byung Ihn	College of Medicine	Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging	Rank 96
60	20,806	CY Choi, Yung Hyun	Dong-Eui University	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 950
61	21,403	LY Lee, Young Hee	Sungkyunkwan University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 251
62	21,911	KK Kim, K. N.	Yujin Machinery Ltd.	Applied Physics	Rank 550
63	22,259	LB Lee, Byeong Joo	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Materials	Rank 268
64	22,567	KJ Knowles, Jonathan C.	Dankook University	Biomedical Engineering	Rank 97
65	22,688	KJ Koh, Jae Young	University of Ulsan College of Medicine	Neurology & Neurosurgery	Rank 1,787
66	22,846	LJ Lee, Jay H.	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Industrial Engineering & Automation	Rank 159
67	23,161	PP Park, Poo Gyeon	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Industrial Engineering & Automation	Rank 163
68	23,350	LK Lee, Kuen Yong	Hanyang University	Polymers	Rank 201
69	23,775	AC Ahn, Choon Ki	Korea University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 467
70	23,909	CJ Choy, Jin Ho	Dankook University, College of Medicine	Applied Physics	Rank 601
71	24,063	CS Choi, Seung Bok	The State University of New York, Korea	Materials	Rank 281
72	24,092	PS Park, Seung Jung	Asan Medical Center	Cardiovascular System & Hematology	Rank 1,007
73	24,284	KK Koh, Kwang Kon	Gachon University	Cardiovascular System & Hematology	Rank 1,014
74	24,713	JS Joo, Sang Woo	Yeungnam University	Chemical Physics	Rank 560
75	24,737	RJ Roh, Jong Lyel	College of Medicine, Pochon CHA University	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 1,125
76	24,873	KB Kim, Byung Kyu	Pusan National University	Polymers	Rank 222
77	25,240	CS Cho, S. B.	Yonsei University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 496
78	26,062	YY Yi, Youjae	Seoul National University	Marketing	Rank 48
79	26,079	YM Yoo, Man H.	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Materials	Rank 311
80	26,542	LS Lee, S.	University of Ulsan College of Medicine	Surgery	Rank 204
81	27,127	LJ Lee, Jun Yeob	Sungkyunkwan University	Applied Physics	Rank 679
82	27,958	FS Flach, Sergej	Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon	Fluids & Plasmas	Rank 222
83	27,984	KY Kim, Young Hoo	Joint Replacement Center of Seoul Metropolitan SeoNam Hospital	Orthopedics	Rank 186
84	28,484	JC Jun, Chul Ho	Yonsei University	Organic Chemistry	Rank 560
85	28,619	LY Lee, Young Ho	Korea University Anam Hospital	Arthritis & Rheumatology	Rank 213
86	28,762	KM Kashiwara, Masaki	Korea Institute for Advanced Study	General Mathematics	Rank 96
87	28,977	KG Koh, Gou Young	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Biochemistry & Molecular Biology	Rank 1,304
88	30,420	SM Suh, Myunghyun Paik	Seoul National University	Inorganic & Nuclear Chemistry	Rank 175
89	30,459	KV Kalia, Vipin Chandra	Konkuk University	Microbiology	Rank 773
90	30,479	LC Lee, Choong Ki	Kyung Hee University	Sport, Leisure & Tourism	Rank 35
91	31,095	YJ Yun, Jong Won	Daegu University	Biotechnology	Rank 76
92	31,307	KJ Kim, J. H.	Chungnam National University	Applied Physics	Rank 794
93	31,775	TA Timmermann, Axel	Pusan National University	Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences	Rank 445
94	31,930	SB Sarkar, Biswajit	Yonsei University	Operations Research	Rank 99
95	32,163	KS Kim, Sung Jin	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Mechanical Engineering & Transports	Rank 193
96	32,498	KD Kim, Dongho	Yonsei University	General Chemistry	Rank 137
97	33,518	KY Kim, Young Ho	Chungnam National University	Gastroenterology & Hepatology	Rank 521
98	34,085	Lee, Seong Whan	Korea University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 683
99	34,181	KD Kim, Dae Hyeong	Seoul National University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 371
100	34,701	HT Hashimoto, Takashi	Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon	Biochemistry & Molecular Biology	Rank 1,505
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Countries with a similar count

Career-long list2023

Spain3,230 scientistsin 2023

Sweden3,200 scientistsin 2023

India2,578 scientistsin 2023

Israel2,037 scientistsin 2023

Denmark2,034 scientistsin 2023

Belgium1,861 scientistsin 2023

Explore other countries

Career-long list2023

China9,013 scientistsin 2023

Japan8,126 scientistsin 2023

Taiwan1,669 scientistsin 2023

Hong Kong1,176 scientistsin 2023

Macau54 scientistsin 2023

Turkey1,040 scientistsin 2023

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Frequently asked questions

How many scientists from South Korea are in the 2023 Stanford Top 2% list?

3,240 scientists affiliated with South Korea are on the 2023 single-year list, and 2,120 are on the career-long list.

Which institute in South Korea has the most Top 2% scientists?

On the 2023 career-long list, Seoul National University has the most listed scientists from South Korea, with 169. It is followed by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology with 161.

How has the number of Top 2% scientists in South Korea changed since 2020?

On the career-long list, South Korea went from 1,350 scientists in 2020 to 2,120 in 2023, a change of +57.0%.

What is the difference between the single-year and career-long lists?

The single-year list ranks scientists on the citations their work received in one year. The career-long list ranks them on citations across their whole career. Both lists are published every year, and a scientist can be on one, both or neither.

What is the official source of this data?

The rankings come from the science-wide author databases of standardized citation indicators published by Ioannidis et al. in the Elsevier Data Repository, updated every year. TOPSCINET, an independent platform, organises that data by country, year, institute and field, so you can compare and explore it.