South Korea's Top 2% Scientists 2026: Career-Long List

South Korea has 2,889 scientists on the 2026 career-long Top 2% list, up 10.3% from 2,620 in 2025. That places South Korea 15th in the world by number of listed scientists. Seoul National University has the most listed scientists (207), followed by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (205).

Single Year

4,001

+306 (+8.3%) vs 2025

Career Data

2,889

+269 (+10.3%) vs 2025

World rank by count

#15

No change vs 2025

Institutes

336

+20 (+6.3%) vs 2025

Scientists in South Korea on the list, by year

The career-long count has more than doubled 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%

2026+10.3%

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%
2026	4,001	+8.3%	2,889	+10.3%

Top 10 institutes in South Korea

By number of listed scientists

Career-long list2026

Show the list

1Seoul National University207
2Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology205
3Korea University135
4Yonsei University119
5Sungkyunkwan University110
6Pohang University of Science and Technology104
7Hanyang University91
8Kyung Hee University63
9Kyungpook National University (KNU)59
10Seoul National University College of Medicine58

All 2,889 scientists

Career-long list2026

Showing the 2026 career-long list. Looking for single-year rankings? See the single-year list

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	528	RR Ruoff, Rodney S.	Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 22
2	826	PN Park, Nam-gyu	Sungkyunkwan University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 29
3	851	SY Sun, Yang-kook	Hanyang University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 31
4	977	HT Hyeon, Taeghwan	Seoul National University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 33
5	992	LS Lee, Sang Yup	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Biotechnology	Rank 2
6	1,391	RS Rhee, Sue Goo	Yonsei University College of Medicine	Biochemistry & Molecular Biology	Rank 63
7	1,560	FS Fukuzumi, Shunichi	Ewha Womans University	Organic Chemistry	Rank 44
8	1,795	SY Surh, Young Joon	Seoul National University	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 74
9	1,813	KK Kim, Ki Hyun	Hanyang University	Environmental Sciences	Rank 6
10	1,843	RJ Rhim, Jong-whan	Kyung Hee University	Food Science	Rank 5
11	1,846	HH Han, Heesup	Sejong University	Sport, Leisure & Tourism	Rank 2
12	2,028	KS Kim, Se-kwon	Hanyang University	Food Science	Rank 8
13	2,045	CJ Cho, Jaephil P.	Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 58
14	2,168	PJ Park, Juhyun	Yeungnam University	Industrial Engineering & Automation	Rank 11
15	3,482	PT Park, Taegwan	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Pharmacology & Pharmacy	Rank 20
16	4,009	CW Choi, Wonyong Yong	Korea Institute of Energy Technology	Physical Chemistry	Rank 19
17	4,110	KV Kim, V. Narry	Seoul National University	Developmental Biology	Rank 204
18	5,412	JJ Jang, Jyongsik	Seoul National University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 104
19	5,417	PS Park, Soo-jin	Kyung Hee University	Polymers	Rank 38
20	5,640	SL Saro, Lee M.	Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources	Geological & Geomatics Engineering	Rank 15
21	6,545	KK Kim, Kimoon	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Organic Chemistry	Rank 146
22	6,604	NW Nam, Wonwoo	Ewha Womans University	General Chemistry	Rank 41
23	6,685	BY Bang, Yung–Jue	Seoul National University College of Medicine	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 291
24	7,347	KH Kim, Hyoung Seop	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Materials	Rank 89
25	7,355	KJ Kim, Jong-sung	University of Ulsan	Neurology & Neurosurgery	Rank 599
26	7,667	LB Lee, Byoungho	Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center	Optics	Rank 35
27	7,829	YJ Yoon, Juyoung	Ewha Womans University	Organic Chemistry	Rank 166
28	7,912	RR Ryoo, Ryong	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Physical Chemistry	Rank 34
29	8,041	GZ Geem, Zong Woo	Gachon University	Energy	Rank 91
30	8,611	LJ Lee, Jong-heun	Korea University	Materials	Rank 102
31	8,621	KV Kodur, Venkatesh K.R.	Ewha Womans University	Civil Engineering	Rank 13
32	8,678	LJ Lee, Jae Sung	Chung-Ang University Hospital	Physical Chemistry	Rank 37
33	8,706	SS Sundar, S. Shyam	Sungkyunkwan University	Human Factors	Rank 12
34	9,358	KD Kim, Dong Hyun	Kyung Hee University	Pharmacology & Pharmacy	Rank 58
35	9,878	KK Kim, Kwang S.	Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology	Chemical Physics	Rank 222
36	10,544	HC Hwang, Cheolseong	Inter-University Semiconductor Research Center	Applied Physics	Rank 256
37	10,991	KS Kim, Seong Gi	Sungkyunkwan University	Neurology & Neurosurgery	Rank 878
38	11,875	DC De Cooman, Bruno Charles De	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Materials	Rank 146
39	11,953	KH Kim, Hae-won	Dankook University	Biomedical Engineering	Rank 45
40	12,333	AC Ahn, Choon Ki	Korea University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 280
41	13,109	PS Paik, Soonmyung	Yonsei University College of Medicine	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 563
42	13,388	KJ Kim, Jihn E.	Seoul National University	Nuclear & Particle Physics	Rank 181
43	13,572	HW Holzapfel, Wilhelm Heinrich	Handong Global University	Microbiology	Rank 330
44	13,667	SS Sul, Seungki	Seoul National University	Electrical & Electronic Engineering	Rank 38
45	13,696	SS Snyder, Shane A.	Ewha Womans University	Environmental Sciences	Rank 86
46	13,865	MV Mukhanov, Viatcheslav F.	Korea Institute for Advanced Study	Nuclear & Particle Physics	Rank 187
47	13,896	GB Grzybowski, Bartosz A.	Institute for Basic Science (IBS)	Organic Chemistry	Rank 298
48	13,964	LY Lee, Young Moo	Hanyang University	Polymers	Rank 108
49	14,430	PH Park, Hyun Jin	Korea University	Food Science	Rank 63
50	14,804	CM Cho, Minhaeng	Korea University	Chemical Physics	Rank 324
51	15,067	SH Sohn, Hoon	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Acoustics	Rank 22
52	15,495	SB Sarkar, Biswajit	Yonsei University	Operations Research	Rank 39
53	16,122	BL Byeong-Joo Lee, Byeong-joo	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Materials	Rank 209
54	16,378	KT Kim, Taekyun Gyun	Kwangwoon University	General Mathematics	Rank 44
55	17,370	LH Lee, Haeshin	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 278
56	18,227	CY Choi, Young-hyun	Dong-Eui University	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 795
57	18,592	JS Joo, Sangwoo	Yeungnam University	Chemical Physics	Rank 413
58	18,756	BF Barlat, Frederic Gérard	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Materials	Rank 241
59	18,784	RJ Roh, Jong–Lyel	CHA University	Oncology & Carcinogenesis	Rank 818
60	19,143	AG An, Gyeunhung Heung	Kyung Hee University	Plant Biology & Botany	Rank 203
61	19,799	LY Lee, Young Ho	Korea University Medicine	Arthritis & Rheumatology	Rank 160
62	19,805	SG Samara, Georges A.	University of Ulsan	Applied Physics	Rank 451
63	20,679	LC Lee, Chaeyoung Hoon O.	Seoul National University	Applied Physics	Rank 477
64	21,417	OL Otterbein, Leo Edmond	College of Korean Medicine	Immunology	Rank 715
65	21,659	CB Choi, Byung Ihn	Chung-Ang University Hospital	Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging	Rank 98
66	21,790	PP Park, Poo-gyeon	Pohang University of Science and Technology	Industrial Engineering & Automation	Rank 161
67	22,089	YY Yi, Youjae	Seoul National University	Marketing	Rank 47
68	22,832	LC Lee, Choong-ki	Kyung Hee University	Sport, Leisure & Tourism	Rank 35
69	22,973	KD Kim, Dae-Hyeong	Seoul National University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 352
70	23,346	KV Kalia, Vipin Chandra	Konkuk University	Microbiology	Rank 584
71	23,741	LK Lee, KuenYong	Hanyang University	Polymers	Rank 193
72	23,857	CS Cho, Sung Bae	Yonsei University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 553
73	24,023	KK Kim, Kinam	The National Academy of Engineering of Korea	Applied Physics	Rank 551
74	24,618	TA Timmermann, Axel	Pusan National University	Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences	Rank 343
75	24,684	Ok, Yong Sik	Korea University	Environmental Sciences	Rank 174
76	24,878	LJ Lee, Junyeob	Sungkyunkwan University	Applied Physics	Rank 581
77	25,783	LS Lee, Seongwhan	Korea University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 604
78	26,041	LS Lee, Seunggyu Gyue	University of Ulsan College of Medicine	Surgery	Rank 185
79	26,145	SS Salkuti, Surender Reddy	Woosong University	Artificial Intelligence & Image Processing	Rank 613
80	26,272	KJ Koh, Jae-Young	University of Ulsan College of Medicine	Neurology & Neurosurgery	Rank 1,925
81	26,483	PS Park, Seung-jung	Asan Medical Center	Cardiovascular System & Hematology	Rank 1,075
82	26,574	JC Jin-Ho, Choy	Dankook University	Applied Physics	Rank 616
83	26,978	BP Blumberg, Peter M.	College of Pharmacy	Medicinal & Biomolecular Chemistry	Rank 76
84	27,367	YS Yoo, Sung-jin	Chung-Ang University	Industrial Engineering & Automation	Rank 217
85	27,523	KK Koh, Kwang-kon	Gachon University	Cardiovascular System & Hematology	Rank 1,109
86	27,800	KG Koh, Gou-Young	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Biochemistry & Molecular Biology	Rank 1,130
87	27,869	JE Jo, Eun-kyeong	Chungnam National University, College of Medicine	Microbiology	Rank 698
88	27,921	KG Kim, Geun Hyung	SKKU School of Medicine	Polymers	Rank 231
89	27,931	LT Lee, Taewoo	Seoul National University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 407
90	28,376	KS Ko, Seung Hwan	Seoul National University	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 417
91	28,459	KB Kim, Byeong Kyu	Pusan National University	Polymers	Rank 238
92	28,495	MA Mukherjee, Amiya K.	Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon	Materials	Rank 361
93	28,496	PJ Park, Joongwon	Hanyang University Medical Center	Gastroenterology & Hepatology	Rank 427
94	29,064	HY Han, Young Kyu	Dongguk University–Seoul	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 426
95	29,142	ND Normile, Dennis	Joon-Ang Daily News	Energy	Rank 369
96	29,532	KY Kim, Young-hoo	Seoul Metropolitan Government	Orthopedics	Rank 183
97	29,671	FS Flach, Sergej	Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon	Fluids & Plasmas	Rank 241
98	29,713	Kang, Hyun	Chung-Ang University	Anesthesiology	Rank 95
99	29,758	BO Bang, Oh-young	SKKU School of Medicine	Neurology & Neurosurgery	Rank 2,145
100	29,936	KI Kim, Il Doo	Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology	Nanoscience & Nanotechnology	Rank 432
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Countries with a similar count

Career-long list2026

India3,898 scientists

Switzerland3,759 scientists

Sweden3,661 scientists

Denmark2,309 scientists

Belgium2,294 scientists

Israel2,293 scientists

Explore other countries

Career-long list2026

China14,583 scientists

Japan9,097 scientists

Taiwan2,025 scientists

Hong Kong1,619 scientists

Macau135 scientists

Turkey1,479 scientists

All countries on the world map

Frequently asked questions

How many scientists from South Korea are in the 2026 Stanford Top 2% list?

4,001 scientists affiliated with South Korea are on the 2026 single-year list, and 2,889 are on the career-long list.

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

On the 2026 career-long list, Seoul National University has the most listed scientists from South Korea, with 207. It is followed by Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology with 205.

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 2,889 in 2026, a change of +114.0%.

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.