Combining Digital Technology with Korean Medicine to Treat Intractable Diseases

Government to Invest 44 Billion Won Over 5 Years
New Launch of Korean Medicine Digital Convergence Technology Development Project

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The government is launching a new project to develop treatment methods for intractable chronic diseases by integrating traditional Korean medicine and digital advanced science.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 17th that, together with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, it will newly initiate the "Korean Medicine Digital Convergence Technology Development Project" to jointly seek solutions for intractable diseases such as chronic diseases by combining Korean medicine (Hanui) technology with digital and other advanced sciences.

This is the first case of innovating Korean medicine by combining it with advanced science. The project aims to conduct full-cycle research from basic and fundamental core technology development to applied and clinical research. Over five years from this year to 2027, a total of KRW 44 billion will be invested in 35 projects, including one comprehensive project and 34 individual projects.

Herbal Medicine Image

The Ministry of Science and ICT expects that this project will significantly advance the scientification, standardization, and industrialization of Korean medicine by increasing the scientific credibility of Korean medicine technology, minimizing drug side effects, and exploring fundamental solution mechanisms for intractable diseases.

Gu Hyuk-chae, Director of Basic and Fundamental Research Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "Korean medicine is a traditional science and technology whose effectiveness has long been empirically recognized, and it is a field where new demand and new markets in the bio and medical industries can be created through convergence with advanced science and technology." He added, "We will actively support this together with related ministries so that converged Korean medicine technology can become our unique differentiated competitiveness."