Korea's First New Mineral, "Janggunite," Becomes National Scientific and Technological Heritage

Officially approved by the International Mineralogical Association in 1975... Six specimens registered as National Important Science and Technology Materials
Discovered by the late Kim Sujin, professor emeritus at Seoul National University... Research heritage documenting the history of Korean mineralogy

Janggunite, a new mineral first discovered in Korea by a Korean researcher and recognized internationally, has been designated a national scientific and technological heritage item. Half a century after its international recognition in 1975, it has been acknowledged for its historical and academic value in demonstrating the development of Korean mineralogy.

The Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM) announced on November 11 that six Janggunite specimens held by its Geological Museum had been registered as National Important Science and Technology Materials. The institute received a certificate and plaque at a presentation ceremony held the previous day at the National Science Museum of Korea.

A Janggunseok specimen and academic materials on display at the Mineral Exhibition Hall of the Geological Museum. Provided by the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)

The registered materials comprise five ore specimens and one research sample. As physical materials documenting the discovery of Janggunite and the research process, they represent a historic achievement in Korean mineralogy.

Janggunite was discovered by the late Kim Sujin, professor emeritus at Seoul National University, while he was studying manganese minerals at Janggun Mine in Bonghwa County, North Gyeongsang Province. In the late 1960s, Professor Kim identified properties in manganese ore that differed from those of known minerals. Through repeated sample collection, X-ray diffraction analysis, and chemical analysis, he established that it was a new mineral.

Named after Janggun Mine, Janggunite was officially approved as a new mineral in 1975 following review by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). It was the first mineral discovered in Korea by a Korean researcher to receive international recognition.

The specimens and research sample were donated to the Geological Museum in 2010 and have been preserved and displayed there since. Professor Kim passed away last year, the 50th anniversary of Janggunite's international recognition. The registration also ensures that his research achievements and the physical materials he left behind will be passed on to future generations.

The Geological Museum plans to use Janggunite and other major geological specimens for further research and education. It currently holds more than 7,600 physical geological specimens, of which about 900 are on display.

"This registration is significant because it recognizes both the historic achievements of Korean mineralogy and the academic role the Geological Museum has played in preserving them," said Kwon Yi-gyun, head of KIGAM. "We will support these valuable research materials in serving as a foundation for further research and in conveying the value of scientific inquiry to future generations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.