The Institute for Basic Science (IBS) announced that the 29th International Nuclear Physics Conference (INPC 2025) will be held from May 25 to 30 at the Daejeon Convention Center (DCC). This six-day event is co-hosted by the IBS Center for Exotic Nuclear Studies (CENS), the IBS Center for Underground Physics (CUP), and the Center for Extreme Nuclear Matter at Korea University, with sponsorship and support from organizations including the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP).

The INPC is the world’s most prestigious academic conference in the field of nuclear physics, held every three years. This marks the first time it is being held in Korea, and only the second time in Asia, following Japan in 2007.

INPC 2025 is expected to bring together around 800 experts from over 50 countries, who will share the latest research findings and discuss future directions in nuclear physics. Key topics include: nuclear structure, nuclear reactions, nuclear astrophysics, neutrino physics, and applied nuclear physics.

There will be prominent presentations on high-energy heavy-ion collisions, element synthesis, and the origin of the universe — all topics that explore the fundamental questions of human existence. The keynote speakers include HONG Seung Woo, Managing Director of the Institute for Rare Isotope Science within IBS, who will speak on the “Status of the RAON Facility” and Professor Karlheinz LANGANKE from GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Germany, presenting on “Nuclear Physics – A Driving Force of the Universe”. They will share the latest trends in nuclear physics and outline RAON’s current status and long-term vision.

A special public lecture will also be held for the general audience. Professor Takaaki KAJITA of the University of Tokyo, Nobel Laureate in Physics (2015), will give a lecture on May 30 (Friday) at 6:00 PM. Professor Kajita won the Nobel Prize for discovering neutrino oscillations, proving that neutrinos have mass. His talk will explore neutrinos, gravitational waves, and nuclear physics as tools for exploring the universe, presented in an accessible and engaging format.

Kevin HAHN Insik, Director of the Center for Exotic Nuclear Studies and Co-Chair of the INPC 2025 Organizing Committee, stated, “This conference is a valuable opportunity to discuss the future of nuclear physics with leading scholars from around the world. It marks a major turning point for Korea to emerge as a key global hub in nuclear physics research.”

IBS Public Relations Team
William I. Suh