A leader who propelled Korea's defense industry forward, including the development of basic weapons and long-range guided missiles
Introduced cutting-edge R&D planning and management, and innovative systems to the defense science and technology sector
Mun Taik Shim
Former Director of the Agency for Defense Developmenty
(1923~1998)
- Academic background
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1944
Graduated from Yeonhee College of Science
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1948
Graduated from Seoul National University, Department of Chemistry
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1956
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Indiana University, USA
- career
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1949~1963
Professor of Chemistry, Yonsei University
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1963~1964
Researcher, Head of Chemistry, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
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1964~1966
Professor, Department of Chemistry, Sogang University
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1966~1972
Senior Researcher, Deputy Director, Acting Director, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
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1972~1980
Director, Agency for Defense Development
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1981~1989
Professor of Chemistry, Kyung Hee University
- Awards received
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1972
Order of Civil Merit, Camellia Medal
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1979
Order of National Security Merit, Tongil Medal
Dr. Moon Taik Shim was a groundbreaking figure who laid the foundation for academic research and practical R&D system for Korea’s defense sector, including the development of innovative weapon systems such as the long-range surface-to-surface missile project Baekgom.
Born in 1923 in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Dr. Shim graduated from Yonhee Technical College in 1944. After Korea’s liberation from Japanese military occupation, he enrolled in the Department of Chemistry at Seoul National University, graduating in 1948. After working as a professor of chemistry at Yonsei University, he went abroad in 1953 and earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from Indiana University in the United States in 1956. His doctoral thesis, “Diffusional Processes in Nickel Oxide, Cuprous Oxide and Silver Sulfide,” included a theoretical deliberation on material diffusion, which was published in the Journal of Chemical Physics.
Upon returning to Korea, Dr. Shim resuming teaching theoretical and physical chemistry at Yonsei University, while continuing his research on material corrosion, such as the formation of silver sulfide. In 1963, he joined the Atomic Energy Research Institute to lead its chemistry laboratory. In the following year, he became a professor and head of the Chemistry Department at the newly established Sogang University, where he played a key role in building the department’s foundation.
In 1966, Dr. Shim became a founding member of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). From 1968, he took on the role as the first deputy director of Research Department I, where he contributed to significant policy research, including a national industrial baseline survey and the drafting of national machinery development plans, thereby contributing to the establishment of the development plan for Korea's heavy chemical sector. In 1971, when KIST’s first director Choi Hyung-seop was appointed the Minister of Science and Technology of Korea, Dr. Shim served as acting director of KIST, leading the institute for more than six months. From February 1972 to August 1980, Dr. Shim served as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Director of the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). Under his leadership, ADD achieved groundbreaking milestones in defense science and technology: successfully completing the Lightning Project to localize production of basic weapons, the development of the long-range surface-to-surface missiles in the Baekgom project, and the advancement of Korean military force through the Yulgok Project.
Initiated in November 1971 under an urgent presidential directive, the Lightning Project sought to localize the production of basic weapons, including rifles, grenades, ammunition and personal equipment. Despite the lack of basic designs or blueprints, the project succeeded within half a year, which served as a springboard for the country's confidence and ability in localizing basic weapons and equipment. In 1972, Dr. Shim spearheaded Korea's first surface-to-surface guided missle development project under the guise of the “Aviation Industry Development Plan.” He assembled a team of experts, built advanced R&D facilities, and developed and acquired core technologies. In September 1978, the Baekgom missle’s successful test launch placed Korea as the 7th nation globally to develop its own surface-to-surface guided missile technology. This achievement laid the groundwork for subsequent developments of various advanced missile systems.
Dr. Shim was the first to introduce a system engineering technology framework to the field of defense R&D and introduced Korea’s first quality assurance system in 1973. This very quality assurance system for the defense equipment and materials sector has since become a direct trigger for enhanced standardization, specifications, and precision machining for domestic industrial technologies. Dr. Shim also led the construction of aerospace research facilities, including a comprehensive triple-sonic wind tunnel and flight test center and rocket research facility, as well as marine and underwater weapons research facilities in Jinhae, and the maritime national defense infrastructure, including the construction of the country's largest missile test site in Anheung..
During Dr. Shim's tenure, ADD attracted top scientific talent, including 153 Ph.D. holders from overseas, and secured a pool of 641 outstanding specialists through a special science and technology military conscription program. His ability to unite these experts and harness their potential led to significant breakthroughs in defense science and technology, which is highly regarded to date.
Dr. Shim is an extraordinary research administrator who laid a solid foundation for the growth of Korea's defense R&D sector by fostering top R&D talent, establishing research management and quality assurance systems, and expanding the R&D infrastructure of Korea.
