Visit to Osong Advanced Medical Complex on the 26th
Urges Key Role in Linking Over 20 Bio Clusters
Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Strategy and Finance, visited the Osong Advanced Medical Complex in Chungbuk, a key bio cluster in the central region, to emphasize the importance of fostering the bioindustry as a national growth engine.
On the 26th, Acting President Choi, along with Lee Sang-yeop, Vice Chairman of the National Bio Committee, and Park Min-su, 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, visited the Advanced Medical Device Development Support Center and the Biopharmaceutical Production Center within the Osong Advanced Medical Complex. He toured the site, including a direct demonstration of vision impairment assistive VR glasses and light-guide type thyroid surgery equipment at the Advanced Medical Device Development Support Center.
This visit was arranged to review the strategy for realizing the global top 5 bio nations by 2035 at the joint public-private bio cluster site, following the launch of the National Bio Committee and the announcement of the "Korea Bio Grand Transformation Strategy" in January. The government plans to build a cooperative "Korean-style bio cluster" centered on the National Bio Committee, promoting organic cooperation through linkage and convergence among regions and various fields.
Aerial View of Osong Advanced Medical Complex
The Osong Advanced Medical Complex is the core bio cluster in the central region among more than 20 bio clusters nationwide. Completed in November 2013 with an area of 1.1 million square meters, it currently houses a total of 119 bio-related industry-academia-research institutions and hospitals, establishing its status as a base institution supporting the entire cycle of the biohealth industry.
Acting President Choi emphasized, "For Korea to take a step forward, fostering the bioindustry as a new growth engine is very important," adding, "Close public-private cooperation is needed for the three major transformations of infrastructure, research and development (R&D) innovation, and industry." He continued, "It is necessary to link and integrate all bio sectors including the Advanced Medical Complex, R&D special zones, related agencies, health and medical, food, and energy sectors centered on the National Bio Committee," and urged, "I ask the Osong Complex to play a key role in the organic linkage of more than 20 bio clusters nationwide."
In response, Lee Myung-soo, Chairman of the Osong Advanced Medical Industry Promotion Foundation, stated, "Bio is a national core strategic industry that requires significant government interest and support. In particular, expanding investment in advanced technology R&D, strengthening collaboration between the National Bio Committee and bio clusters, and systematic human resource development are urgent," expressing the Osong Advanced Medical Complex’s commitment to actively play a role. Lee Sang-yeop, Vice Chairman of the National Bio Committee, said, "It is necessary to upgrade the system so that the creation and growth of irreplaceable bio deep-tech companies centered on each cluster can be actively promoted."
Park Min-su, 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, said, "This year marks the halfway point of the Advanced Medical Complex development plan (2009?2038), and the 5th comprehensive plan (2025?2029) is scheduled to be established," adding, "We will actively support the Advanced Medical Complex to lead the growth of the biohealth industry through expanded R&D investment and strengthened linkage and cooperation among clusters."
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