The nation this year is first in the world in the discovery of new bacteria.

The Science and Technology Ministry on Thursday said domestic scientists this year have found 68 new microorganisms of the 494 discovered worldwide, or 13.8 percent of the total.

The rankings were published in the latest edition of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.

Japan is second with 59 new microorganisms and the United States third with 44.

In individual researcher rankings, Yoon Jung-hun was first in the world for the second straight year with 32 discoveries and Lee Sung-taek second with 14.