Dongmin Lee
Associate Professor
School of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
Contact: Office #164, Engineering Building.
Email: leedm@korea.ac.kr
I am an Associate Professor in the School of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering at Korea University. My research focuses on Human-Centered Construction Technology (HCT), with the goal of improving safety, productivity, and overall performance in construction sites by placing humans at the center of technological innovation.Our work explores how robotics, automation, and AI-driven systems can be designed to support, augment, and collaborate with human workers, rather than replace them. By integrating autonomous robots, intelligent agents, and digital construction technologies, we aim to transform construction sites into safer, more efficient, and more resilient environments, while driving broader industrial innovation across the construction sector.Recent News
One paper on CV-based worker tracking has been published in Automation in Construction. (Oct, 2025)
Dr. Lee joined the School of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering at Korea University as an Associate Professor in September 2025.
Education
03.2013 – 02.2019
03.2009 – 02.2013
Ph.D., Civil & Environmental and Architectural Engineering (Construction Management), Korea University, Korea (Advisor: Prof. Kyung-In Kang)
BE, Civil & Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
Professional Experience
2019-2021
2019
2018-2019
2016-2019
2016
2015-2019
2013-2014
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Advisor Prof. SangHyun Lee)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Research on integrated digital twin and blockchain for accountable information sharing
Research on deep reinforcement learning for autonomous robot controls
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Research Institute for Mega Construction, Seoul, South Korea
Developing double-cage construction hoist with machine learning-based operational planning model for high-rise building construction
Research on autonomous construction hoist algorithm based on deep reinforcement learning
Research Director
K-tech Global, Seoul, South Korea
Developing lightweight, reduced noising, safe, eco-friendly plastic form
Developing formwork planning model using AI technique (e.g., harmony search algorithm)
Researcher (Technical Research Personnel) (Advisor Prof.Kyung-In Kang & Prof.Hunhee Cho)
Research Institute of Engineering and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
Development of a Smart city (e.g., smart mobility, smart building, smart infrastructure) management platform
Visiting Scholar (Advisor Prof. Yong-woo Kim)
University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
Research on patent & research trend analysis of construction automation using unsupervised learning.
Graduate Research Assistant (Advisor Prof.Kyung-In Kang & Prof.Hunhee Cho)
Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
Development of an automated material handling system.
Development of new system formwork and automated material lifting equipment for high-rise building construction
Research Assistant (Advisor Prof.Kyung-In Kang & Prof.Hunhee Cho)
Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
Research on harmony search (optimization) algorithm and discrete event simulation method for process optimization (e.g., layout planning, scheduling, costing) in high-rise building construction
Development of high-speed formwork method and self-diagnosis system
Utilizing building information models for constructability checking
Awards
2019-2020
2018
2017
2016
2015
2015
2015
2015
2013
2013
2009-2013
Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, National Research Foundation of Korea
BK21PLUS Scholarship, National Research Foundation of Korea
Outstanding Paper Nomination, Spring Conference on Construction Technology awarded by The Korea Institute of Building Construction
Outstanding Paper Nomination, Spring Conference on Construction Technology awarded by The Korea Institute of Building Construction
Outstanding Paper Nomination, Fall Conference on Construction Technology awarded by The Korea Institute of Building Construction
Outstanding Paper Nomination, Spring Conference on Construction Technology awarded by The Korea Institute of Building Construction
Best Paper Nomination, The International Conference on Construction Engineering and Project management (ICCEPM 2015)
Academic Scholarship, GS E&C
Outstanding Paper Nomination, Fall Conference on Construction Technology awarded by The Korea Institute of Building Construction
Outstanding Paper Nomination, Spring Conference on Construction Technology awarded by The Korea Institute of Building Construction
Academic Scholarship, Korea Government and Korea University
Teaching Experience
2021-Present
2019-2021
2017-2019
2017
2016
2015
2014
2014
Assitant Professor, “BIM System Engineering", "Construction Engineering Design", "Construction Management", "Construction Safety and Health", "BIM based Cost Analysis”
Role and Responsibility: Teaching (12hours/week), Lab sessions for research discussion (1hr/week), held office hours (2hr/week), developed lab exercises/assignments, and graded term projects.
Course Advocates (Coursera Online Master Track)
Held office hours (4 hours/week) and tutoring for students (4 hours/week) and graded homework assignments, and graded term projects and mid/final exams.
Handling courses (6 masters degree courses per semester)
“Construction Equipment and Methods”, Instructor: Prof. Vineet Kamat
“Construction Project Delivery Systems”, Instructor: Prof. Carol Menessa
“Construction Project Planning, Scheduling, and Control”, Instructor: Prof. SangHyun Lee
“Construction Safety and Human Factors”, Instructor: Prof. SangHyun Lee
“Financial Accounting for Construction Projects”, Instructor: Prof. Vineet Kamat
“Sustainable Construction Practices”, Instructor: Prof. Carol Menassa
Undergraduate Student Research Mentor, ACEE 471 “Construction Project Management”
Instructors: Profs. Kyung-In Kang, Hunhee Cho
Research Topic: “Constructability checking based on BIM”, “Productivity tracking using the wearable device”, “Construction layout planning model based on genetic algorithm”, “Inhibiting factors for construction delay in a high-rise building construction”
Graduate Student Instructor, ACEE 374 “Construction Management”
Instructor: Prof. Hunhee Cho
Role and Responsibility: Held office hour (2hr/week), developed lab exercises/assignments and in-class quizzes, and graded term projects and assignments
Graduate Student Instructor, ACEE 369 “Remodeling Engineering”
Instructor: Prof. Jangwoo Seo
Role and Responsibility: Held office hour (1hr/week), developed lab exercises/assignments and in-class quizzes, and graded term projects and assignments
Graduate Student Instructor, ACEE 369 “Building Construction”
Instructor: Prof. Hunhee Cho
Role and Responsibility: Held office hour (1hr/week), developed lab exercises/assignments and in-class quizzes, and graded term projects and assignments
Graduate Student Instructor, ACEE 485 “Project Cost Management”
Instructor: Prof. Sanghyuk Sohn
Role and Responsibility: Held office hour (2hr/week), developed lab exercises/assignments and in-class quizzes, and graded term projects and assignments
Graduate Student Instructor, ACEE 263 “Construction Systems”
Instructor: Prof. Kyung-In Kang
Role and Responsibility: Held office hour (1hr/week), developed lab exercises/assignments and in-class quizzes, and graded term projects and assignments
Professional Presentations and Workshops
2022
2021
2021
2020
2020
2020
2019
2019
2018
2018
2018
2017
2016
Digital Twin and Blockchain for Intelligent Robotics in Construction
KICEM Young Researcher Seminar
Building Smart Forum
Chosun University
Seoul National University of Science and Technology
Yonsei University
Seoul National University
CAU DT/AI Center
Digital Transformations and Human-Centered AI in Construction
University of Florida (Invited on-site Interview)
Digital Twin in Construction
Korea University (online workshop)
Digital Transformations in Robotic Off-site Construction
Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) seminar, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA (online workshop)
Deep Reinforcement Learning-enhanced Digital Twin for Robot Control in Robotized Off-site Construction.
Robotics in the Construction Industry Workshop, Berlin, Germany (online workshop)
Integrated Digital Twin and Blockchain for Efficient Collaboration in Construction Projects
CBC/ETH Blockchain in Construction Workshop, Zurich, Switzerland
Tishman Construction Management Program Research Symposium, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Construction Materials for High-rise Building Construction
Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju, South Korea
Plastic Formwork System Integrated with Automated Construction Planning Model
University-Industry Joint Venture Seminar, Changchun, China
Plastic Formwork System Integrated with Automated Material Handling Equipment
Advanced Technology Roadshow Supported by KOTRA, Manila, Philippine
Plastic Formwork System Integrated with Automated Material Handling Equipment
Advanced Technology Roadshow Supported by KOTRA, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Composite Formwork System Integrated with Automated material handling equipment
Advanced Technology Roadshow Supported by KOTRA, Hanoi, Vietnam
Composite Formwork System
BAUMA China 2016, Shanghai, China
Professional Leadership & Service Activities
2019 – Present
2021 – Present
2021 – Present
2021 – Present
2019-2021
2019-Present
2019-Present
2019-Present
2013-2019
Reviewer, Automation in Construction
Reviewer, Korean Society of Civil Engineers (KSCE)
Reviewer, Architectural Institute of Korea
Reviewer, Korea Institute of Building Construction
University of Michigan Planet Blue Ambassador
Reviewer, KICEM Journal of Construction Engineering and Project Management
Reviewer, ASCE Journal of Management in Engineering
Reviewer, ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volunteer Team for Community Service to Build New Housing