About OSK Introduction

Welcome to the homepage of the Optical Society of Korea.

Since ancient times, optics - the science of light - has played an integral role in our daily lives. It is a field renowned for its numerous contributions to science and technology, with many Nobel Prize winners emerging from its advancements.
Light is essential to our existence, and its importance cannot be overstated.

Since its establishment in 1989, the Optical Society of Korea (OSK) has led the academic advancement and technological dissemination in optics and photonics, establishing itself as a leading academic society in Korea. These achievements are the results of the dedication and continuous efforts of our senior members. Today, OSK has grown to exceed 10,000 members and continues to actively operate various academic programs to fulfill its founding mission: to contribute to the advancement and dissemination of optical science and technology, as well as the development of science and technology at large.

OSK regularly publishes the domestic journal ‘Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics’, the SCIE-indexed journal ‘Current Optics and Photonics’, and the optics magazine ‘K-Light’, broadening the avenues for academic communication. Additionally, we host annual winter and summer academic meetings, optical industry exhibitions, and international and domestic symposia led by nine specialized academic divisions, along with internationally recognized academic conferences. Through these efforts, OSK fosters academic and technological exchanges among researchers from academia, industry, and research institutions both in Korea and abroad. Furthermore, we continuously strengthen collaborations with major international optics societies, solidifying our global presence and influence.

Today, optical technology has become an indispensable core technology across all aspect of life and industry. Notably, more than one-third of the Nobel Prizes in Physics awarded since 2000 have been directly or indirectly related to optics, clearly demonstrating its significance. The importance of optics is further underscored by recent Nobel Prize-winning breakthroughs in areas such as gravitational wave detection, quantum science & technology, laser technology, attosecond science, high-resolution imaging, and quantum dot technology. As both a cornerstone of fundamental science and a key driver of future industrial competitiveness, optics continues to gain prominence.

As an open academic platform that bridges fundamental science and cutting-edge industrial technology, OSK plays a pivotal role in advancing academic research and driving industrial innovation. With the active participation and dedication of researchers from diverse fields, we are taking bold steps toward new breakthroughs while fostering a society rich in diversity and interdisciplinary synergy.

We are committed to sustained growth through collective intelligence that maximizes academic impact. At the same time, we will continue to establish open channels for communication and collaboration, ensuring that researchers and professionals from various disciplines can actively engage in research, academic activities, and technological development. Furthermore, we will do our utmost to build a fulfilling and meaningful academic society together with all our members.

As we now enter the fourth quarter-century of the 2000s, we look forward to 2025 being a year of even greater progress for OSK and sincerely ask for your continued interest and support.

Thank you.

이상민 회장
March 1, 2025.
Fabian Rotermund
President, The Optical Society of Korea