Ahn Dogeol: "Establishing a Cluster-Type Bio-Medical Industry Hub"

Proposed Revision to the “Special Act on Fostering Advanced Medical Complex Clusters”
“Utilizing Specialized Clusters Concentrating Companies, Universities, Hospitals, and Research Institutions”

Ando Geol, Member of the National Assembly.

Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Dogeol (Gwangju Dongnam-eul) on the 22nd proposed a revision to the "Special Act on Fostering Advanced Medical Complex Clusters," which centers on adding a new type of urban direct-type cluster to the Advanced Medical Complex Cluster (hereafter referred to as 'Cheombokdanji').

Representative Ahn explained the purpose of the amendment, stating, "There is a need to establish a new type of Cheombokdanji, called a biohealth complex cluster (commonly known as a 'biocluster'), where medical research support institutions, hospitals, companies, and universities in the bioindustry field are geographically concentrated to create added value in the bioindustry through exchange and cooperation."

If the amendment passes, it is expected to promote medical innovation using biotechnology and strengthen global competitiveness in the advanced medical and biohealth sectors. In particular, it will lay the foundation to respond to new healthcare demands by providing substantial support for research and development and easing regulations.

Representative Ahn stated, "A successful biocluster is fundamentally about not only geographic concentration but also fostering a bioindustry ecosystem that enables close cooperation among various industry stakeholders."

He further emphasized, "In the Gwangju and Hwasun, Jeonnam area, there are four general hospitals (Chonnam National University, Chosun University, Christian Hospital, Hwasun Chonnam National University) and bio research and production infrastructure such as advanced medical devices (Gwangju Technopark) and the vaccine industry special zone. If regulations on research and development, equipment investment, and innovative clinical trials are eased in this region, it will be possible to create an industrial cluster capable of producing new drugs and advanced medical devices without large-scale fiscal input."