CEO Cha Ki-Chul of InBody, the recipient of the 2022 POSCO TJ Park Prize Award(Technology), has been honored with the 29th Grand Prize of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea (NAEK). NAEK was Established in 1996, this award annually recognizes outstanding engineers who have contributed to the advancement of industry and innovation in engineering technology in Korea. The Grand Prize is awarded based on lifetime achievements rather than a single accomplishment. The Young Engineers Award, on the other hand, is granted to engineers under the age of 50. The Grand Prize winner receives a trophy and a cash prize of KRW 200 million, while two recipients of the Young Engineers Award—one from industry and one from academia—each receive a trophy and a KRW 100 million cash prize.

 

 

Since founding InBody in 1996, CEO Cha Ki-Chul has pioneered the body composition analysis market by developing the world’s first professional-grade body composition analyzer that simultaneously implements segmental direct measurement and multi-frequency technology. Over the past 30 years, he has led research and development, establishing a diverse lineup of professional and home-use body composition analyzers. By introducing 3MHz ultra-high frequency measurement technology, he has significantly enhanced measurement precision and stability.

 

InBody’s technology plays a crucial role in the prevention and monitoring of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and kidney failure. To date, InBody has been cited in approximately 5,500 research papers, many of which have been published in SCIE journals, demonstrating the credibility of its technology. In addition, the company has expanded globally with 13 overseas subsidiaries and exports its products and services to over 110 countries, generating about 80% of its revenue from international markets. Utilizing a vast database of over 150 million body composition measurements, InBody is also at the forefront of developing digital healthcare solutions.

 

 

 

Beyond his business achievements, CEO Cha has made continuous contributions to fostering the startup ecosystem and nurturing future engineering talent. He established a venture center at InBody’s headquarters to support aspiring entrepreneurs, launched a scholarship program for CES participants, and published books sharing insights on entrepreneurship for engineering students. Through these efforts, he has played a significant role in advancing engineering.

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CEO Cha remarked, “Thirty years ago, body composition analysis was a neglected field, but thanks to InBody, this technology has become widely used, and research in this area has flourished. Just last year, approximately 10,000 papers on body composition were published. Although body composition analysis is a crucial area in medicine and clinical nutrition, it lacks proper equipment for advancement. Now, I am confident that body composition analyzers will become as essential as blood pressure monitors and glucose meters in medical practice.” He added, “Receiving this award strengthens my commitment to further establishing body composition analysis as a vital discipline.”

 

The POSCO TJ Park Prize was established in 2006 to commemorate the achievements of the late Chairman Park Tae-Joon, who, with an unwavering commitment to national development, laid the foundation for Korea’s industrialization and modernization through the self-sufficiency of the steel industry. The awards also aim to promote public awareness and participation in POSCO’s founding principles of creativity, respect for talent, and a spirit of service, contributing to national progress.

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Now in its 19th year, the awards continue to honor and support scientists, educators who nurture future generations, engineers who drive Korea’s growth, and humanitarians who work toward a brighter tomorrow. POSCO TJ Park Foundation will continue to support and encourage these individuals in their pursuit of excellence!