Director Hahn's reflections at the end of 2020 are published in his latest guest column on Seoul Newspaper.
For many, if not all around the world, COVID-19 has robbed them of a whole year. In connection with Einstein's theory of relativity, Hahn notes that the meaning and significance of this year varied from person to person. While he spent his first full year as a director of the Center for Exotic Nuclear Studies, a retirement ceremony was recently held in honor of SHIN Hee-Sup, the director of the Center for Cognition and Sociality. Dr. Shin was the first National Scientist in South Korea, and he has amassed world-renowned achievements in neuroscience research for more than 30 years. In his retirement speech, Dr. Shin said concerning the passion of a scientist, "Be devoted, but not obsessed."
Director Hahn makes a reference to the year 1665 in the UK, when the University of Cambridge was closed because of the Black Death pandemic. During that period, a Cambridge student named Isaac Newton made great scientific achievements with his laws of universal gravitation and motion, and developments in calculus. Likewise, there ought to be brilliant scientists who see opportunities for advancement of mankind within the current pandemic. Hahn encourages the researchers who have been developing vaccines and treatment medications against COVID-19, and hopes for a restoration of ordinary lifestyles across the globe in 2021.
link to the column (in Korean): http://www.seoul.co.kr/news/newsView.php?id=20201229029012
Center for Exotic Nuclear Studies