KREONET: Korea Research Environment Open NETwork
A High-Performance National Data Network for Scientific and Technological Innovation in the Digital Transformation Era
The Korea Research Environment Open NETwork (KREONET) was launched in 1988 as part of Korea’s national research computing initiative, introducing the country’s first TCP/IP-based internet service.
Since then, KREONET has evolved through a series of major national projects, including the National Grid Network, GLORIAD (Global Ring Network for Advanced Applications Development), KRLight (Korea Lambda Exchange Node), KREONET-S (KREONET-based Wide-area Software-Defined Network), and quantum cryptography communication initiatives.
Today, KREONET operates a tera-scale research backbone connecting Seoul and Daejeon, serving as a critical national infrastructure that enables data-intensive, large-scale scientific discovery and drives innovation in science and technology.
Overview
Legal and Institutional Foundation of KREONET
KREONET was launched in 1988 as part of the national Research Computing Network Project, one of the five major national computing networks designated in March 1983.
• KREONET was launched in 1988 as part of the Research Computing Network Project, one of the five major national computing networks designated by the Korean government in March 1983.
- Legal Basis: Act on the Expansion and Promotion of the Use of Computer Networks (enacted in December 1986)
• KREONET is also defined as a national high-performance research infrastructure under the Act on the Promotion and Utilization of National High-Performance Computing.
- Legal Basis: Act on the Promotion and Utilization of National High-Performance Computing (enacted in December 2012)
• Institutional Framework:
• According to Article 4 of its Articles of Incorporation, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) is tasked with the "construction, operation, and technical development/support of global advanced networks, including science and technology research networks."
• KISTI is a government-funded research institute under the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST) and provides KREONET services as a non-profit public infrastructure.
Project Structure
KREONET’s project framework is designed to build and operate a national-scale, high-performance research network that empowers scientific discovery and technological innovation across all research domains. By supporting large-scale, data-intensive research, KREONET plays a pivotal role in advancing science and technology both nationally and globally.