The Hungarian Battery Association conducted a short interview with Korean professor Dr. Yong June Shin, in which the expert shared his thoughts on the professional background of Hungarian-Korean cooperation, its achievements to date, and future opportunities. The interview provides insight into the role of international knowledge sharing and industry-academia relations in the development of the battery industry.
Could you please describe your area of expertise?
My research expertise is characterized by interdisciplinary applications of signal processing and intelligent data informatics on electric power systems for diagnostics and prognostics for electric power cables and energy storage devices. I am a senior member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and I have published more than 150 peer-reviewed publications in leading international journals and conferences such as IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation & Measurement. Based on the journal citation report (JCR) by Elsevier in 2025, I am proud that I am estimated to be top 2% scholar in the fields of electrical engineering (Citations: 3,000, H-index: 27). My research excellence has been honored with prestigious awards, including the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award, the IAEA Chief Scientific Investigator appointment, Yonsei’s Presidential Distinguished Research Award, and R&D recognition from Korea Electric Power Company.
What academic position do you hold in Korea? What is your job currently in Hungary?
I am a Professor of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. I was the Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs and Vice President of the Yonsei University-Industry Research Foundation.
Now, I am visiting the Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) for my sabbatical leave in Fall 2025. I am appointed as a “Guest Professor” by the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Informatics at BME, working closely with the Hungary Battery Association (HUBA) in order to set up the Korea–Hungary Battery Cooperative Center (KHBCC) in Budapest.
Dr. Yong June Shin
I earned my B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Yonsei University, Seoul (completed early in 1996) and my Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, USA, in 2004. I began my academic career as an Assistant Professor (tenure-track) at the University of South Carolina, Columbia (USA) in 2004, and I was promoted to tenured Associate Professor in 2011.
What international projects have you been involved in so far?
As I had my early professional career in the United States, my primary partners for international projects are industry and universities in the United States. I was one of the founding faculty members of the Grid-connected Advanced Power Electronics Systems (GRAPES) Center in 2009 with Dr. Alan Mantooth at the University of Arkansas, supported by the United States NSF (National Science Foundation) Industry/University Collaborative Research Center (I/UCRC) Program.
My particular collaboration with Hungary is notable, including “Condition Based Maintenance Technology Development for Nuclear Control and Instrumentation (C&I) Cable via Korea–Hungary Joint Research,” funded by the National Research Foundation of Korea/Hungary with Dr. Tamus Zoltan Adam (BME) in 2016–2019; and the Development of Battery Life Cycle Management and Traceability System, funded by the ROK Ministry of Economics and Finance for the Economic Industry Partnership Program in 2023–2026. I am closely working with HUBA and BME for founding KHBCC (Korea–Hungary Battery Collaborative Center) in Budapest, Hungary in 2025.
The KHBCC is targeting a collaborative platform for industry and academic entities both in Hungary and Korea for their strategic partnership in battery and energy. The undergraduate student exchange and dual degree graduate program between BME and Yonsei University will be one of the key educational programs in the KHBCC.
From a professional perspective, how do you see the future of the battery industry?
Applications of battery in the fields of transportation, power and energy represent a dramatic transition in technology. Although there exists a number of unexpected external factors in the battery industry, I do believe that the future of the battery industry is very promising. Korea is one of the leading countries in battery manufacturing with world-class cutting-edge technology. Furthermore, we are paying attention to the extensions of the battery-related industry including mobility and energy. The Korean government also acknowledges these technological trends in the battery industry, and the strategic collaboration with Hungary is extremely important for both Korea and Hungary.
How did the cooperation between Korea and Hungary first begin?
I met my lifetime research partner, Dr. Tamus Zoltan Adam of BME, at the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) meeting in 2009. At that time, both of us were junior faculty members, and we built a strong friendship over beers. Even after the IAEA meeting, we applied for bilateral research programs between Korea and Hungary. We have kept this constructive and sustainable friendship in research for a long time. I believe that the dual degree program between BME and Yonsei will foster our friendship and collaboration in a longer-term manner.
Dr. Yong June Shin and Dr. Zoltán Ádám Tamus
Owing to my collaboration with Hungary and my research expertise in battery, the Ministry of Finances and Economy of ROK asked me to be the Principal Investigator of the Development of Battery Life Cycle Management and Traceability System for the Economic Industry Partnership Program in 2023–2026. I am working closely with HUBA and I consider Dr. Peter Kaderjak an important friend in Hungary. Dr. Kaderjak invited me to Budapest during my sabbatical leave so that we can work closely together for the KHBCC. Peter is an outstanding mentor and collaborator, and I am learning a lot from Dr. Kaderjak including research, leadership, and administration.
Dr. Yong June Shin and Péter Kaderják
What achievements have been made so far, and what future goals are envisioned?
In 2025, the Governments of Korea and Hungary agreed to jointly establish the Korea–Hungary Battery Cooperation Center (KHBCC) in Budapest, Hungary, as a bilateral industrial cooperation platform. We have set up functions and organization of the KHBCC and it is under pilot operations so that we can officially launch the center in 2026.
The KHBCC is structured around two key divisions: the Joint Research and Development (R&D) Division, and the Kor
ea Collaboration Division.
The Joint R&D Division focuses on three main areas: (1) Competence Test Lab, (2) Battery Passport & Data Analysis, and (3) Environmental Protection/Health & Safety, all of which address major technical challenges facing the future battery industry. These joint R&D activities will be supported by both governments as well as EU Horizon programs, enabling active collaboration with industrial entities in Korea and Hungary.
The KHBCC is designed not only as a research base, but also as an integrated, industry-oriented platform across the battery value chain. The Korea Collaboration Division encompasses two primary programs: (1) a Business Development Program and (2) an Academic Exchange Program. The Business Development Program aims to promote the participation and local engagement of Korean industry partners by providing business networking and communication platforms in Hungary.
The Academic Exchange Program will be operated through a master’s dual degree program between Yonsei University and BME so that students can find job opportunities in battery-related industries in Hungary and Korea. Yonsei University sent delegates including the Executive Vice President of Research Affairs and the Dean of the College of Engineering, and we had a signing ceremony on December 4, 2025 for the dual degree program between Yonsei University and BME. We believe that the academic exchange program and industry association will provide long-term sustainable relations between Korea and Hungary.
What are currently the most significant Korean–Hungarian collaborations in the field of battery
manufacturing? How do you assess the Korean–Hungarian partnerships in the battery industry?
One of the most significant Korean–Hungarian collaborations in the battery industry is the accommodation of the EU policy on battery industry including the EU Battery Regulation (Regulation EU 2023/1542) and the Digital Product Passport (DPP). Korea is not an EU country, but it is determined to abide by EU policy and collaboration with Hungary is extremely important for both countries’ economy and industry. Concerns about environment and safety are significant issues for Korea–Hungary partnerships in the battery industry. Thus, the KHBCC will carry out joint research and development on environmentally friendly recycling and reuse of used batteries in the future.
By now, I believe that the strategic relation between Korea and Hungary is well established in the battery industry. However, in order to maximize the impact of synergistic collaboration, our cooperation must be extended to other related industries such as mobility, transportation, power and energy. Also, it is necessary to build a sustainable collaborative relation between Korea and Hungary via joint higher education programs so that a stronger partnership can be maintained in the long term.
What benefits can both countries gain from these collaborations?
Korea and Hungary have established a strong strategic partnership across various industrial sectors, with the battery industry emerging as a core area of collaboration. As of 2025, Hungary has become the second-largest battery producer within the EU. However, the battery industry is facing challenges related to trade disputes, technological competition, and social concerns regarding environmental and safety issues. Recognizing the growing needs of the battery industry to enhance sustainability and competitiveness, both countries have agreed to establish a cooperative framework for joint action. In 2024, the Korea Development Institute (KDI) implemented the Economic Innovation Partnership Program (EIPP) and proposed an industry-oriented, multidisciplinary platform to advance a sustainable and strategic partnership between Korea and Hungary.
Could you please elaborate on the dual degree program being established between BME and Yonsei University?
The establishment of a dual degree program between BME and Yonsei University, College of Engineering, carries substantial strategic importance. BME’s strong tradition in engineering and close ties with European industry complement Yonsei’s leading research capacity in Asia. Korean battery industry members in Hungary are urgently searching for local professional employees preferably trained in Korean academic systems, while Hungarian students are interested in jobs in Hungary provided by the Korean battery industry members.
On the other hand, Korean companies in Hungary are searching for Korean employees with experience in Hungary. Thus, student exchange in undergraduate programs and dual degree graduate programs in the fields of battery engineering will be mutually benefici
al for both BME and Yonsei University. Furthermore, as of 2025, the Republic of Korea is an associate member of the EU Horizon program; BME and Yonsei University will be strategic partners for the multinational EU Horizon program for joint research and development in the fields of battery engineering.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Professor Yong June Shin for sharing his professional experience and thoughts with us!
