The institute was founded in 1971 as the Korea Advanced Institute of Science (KAIS) by a loan of US$6 million (US$34 million 2014) from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and supported by President Park Chung-Hee[ The institute’s academic scheme was mainly designed by Frederick E. Terman, vice president of Stanford University, and Chung Geum-mo, a professor at the Polytechnic Institution of Brooklyn.
D'Institut gegrënnt an 1971 als Korea Détailléiert Institut vun Science (Kais) vun engem Prêt vun US $ 6 Milliounen (US $ 34 Milliounen 2014) aus den USA Agence fir International Development (USAID) an ënnerstëtzt duerch President Park Chung-Hee[ D'akademesch Schema d'Institut war haaptsächlech entworf vum Frederick E. Terman, Vize President vun Stanford University, an Chung Geun-mo, Professer op der Polytechnic Institutioun Brooklyn.