Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences Partners with Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute for Radiation Bio Research

Business Agreement for Strategic Cooperation in Radiation Bio Industry Technology

Early Activation Expected for Southeast Region Radiation Medical and Science Industrial Complex

Government-funded research institutes are joining forces to cooperate in the medical and industrial utilization of isotopes and radiation, and to expedite the activation of the Southeast Radiation Medical Science Industrial Complex (Southeast Industrial Complex).

The Southeast Radiation Medical Center signed a memorandum of understanding for strategic cooperation in the field of radiation medical science with the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute.

The signing ceremony, held at the Southeast Radiation Medical Center, was attended by Director Lee Changhun of the Medical Center, Director Joo Hankyu of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, and key officials from both sides.

Through this agreement, the two institutions pledged to ▲ share information and cooperate for the medical and industrial utilization of isotopes ▲ support joint research, shared use of research equipment, and talent development ▲ accelerate the activation of the Southeast Radiation Medical Science Industrial Complex in Busan and strengthen research cooperation among government-funded research institutes.

In particular, by utilizing radioisotopes produced in the new research reactor for export, they aim to lay the foundation for the development of radiopharmaceuticals and to vitalize radiation bio research and related industries. Through this, they have established a basis for the early activation of the Southeast Industrial Complex and for exporting isotopes overseas.

Lee Changhun, Director of the Southeast Radiation Medical Center, stated, "As the first public institution to move into the Southeast Industrial Complex, we are preparing for active cooperation, with the completion of the medical heavy ion accelerator in 2026 and the new research reactor for export in 2027. I expect this agreement to be a significant milestone in making Busan a global hub in the field of radiation medical science. The Gijang area will not only become the largest production site for radioisotopes in Korea, but will also continuously create added value by developing new radiopharmaceuticals using isotopes. We will actively cooperate to vitalize isotope-related businesses."

Joo Hankyu, Director of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, emphasized, "This memorandum of understanding will serve as a cornerstone for transforming Gijang into a global radiation hub. We will actively cooperate by bringing together the institute's technological capabilities and industrialization know-how so that Gijang can achieve both the globalization and industrialization of radiation medicine."

They are signing a business cooperation agreement for strategic collaboration in radiation medical science in the southeastern region.

Prior to the signing ceremony, the two institutions held a joint workshop. The workshop was attended not only by officials from both institutions, but also by Jeong Jongbok, Mayor of Gijang County, Park Dongseok, Director of the Busan Advanced Industry Bureau, and Lee Byungho, Deputy Director of the Nuclear Research and Development Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT, among others.

At the workshop, researchers presented on topics including: ▲ Future development strategies for the utilization of GMP facilities for radiopharmaceuticals (Lee Hongje, Research Center Director at the Southeast Radiation Medical Center) ▲ New drug development using radioisotopes (Lee Yongjin, Department Head at the Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences) ▲ Exosome-based radioisotope-loaded bio drug delivery systems (Kim Jungguk, Doctor at the Southeast Radiation Medical Center) ▲ Current status of RI research based on research reactors (Hong Jintae, Department Head at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) ▲ Current status of radioisotope development based on the RFT-30 cyclotron (Park Junghoon, Director at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) ▲ Isotope production facilities and development status of the Proton Science Research Group (Park Jungyu, Department Head at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute).

In addition, participants shared the latest research trends and engaged in heated discussions with the goal of creating an ecosystem for innovative growth in the Southeast radiation medical science sector and strategically cooperating in radiation bio-industrial technology.

The two organizations are holding the DIRAMS-KAERI joint workshop and taking a commemorative photo.