Lee Joon-Sik

South Korean biologist who created urban coral reefs in abandoned subway tunnels

Dr. Lee Joon-Sik (1964-) transformed Seoul's disused subway infrastructure into artificial coral ecosystems. His team's Submarine Karst Simulation technology enables temperate-zone coral growth using geothermal energy from train brakes.

The Line 7 Reef Project now hosts 127 marine species in climate-controlled tunnels. Lee's 2023 Science paper demonstrated 40% faster coral growth rates through customized LED spectra. His Urban Tide System recreates lunar-regulated tidal patterns using abandoned water mains.

Controversially, Lee proposes converting Tokyo's flood tunnels into migratory whale nurseries. The Non-profit Urban Reef collaborates with 15 metro systems globally. His Tunnel Sponge Filters now clean 30% of Seoul's stormwater runoff through bivalve colonies. Critics argue about ecosystem containment, but Lee's work redefines urban conservation paradigms.