Prime Minister Kim Holds Luncheon with Bill Gates to Discuss Cooperation with Korean Bio Companies

Prime Minister Kim and Bill Gates Discuss Synergy Between Korean Bio Companies and the Gates Foundation
Gates Highlights Korea's Global Health Contributions and Calls for Expanded ODA
Gates: "North Korea Can Cooperate If Willing, But It Is Not a Typical Case"

Prime Minister Minseok Kim met with Bill Gates, Chairman of the Gates Foundation, who is visiting Korea on August 21, to recognize his contributions to global health and to express appreciation for his cooperation with Korean bio companies.

Prime Minister Kim Holds Luncheon with Bill Gates to Discuss Cooperation with Korean Bio Companies

Prime Minister Minseok Kim and Bill Gates, Chairman of the Gates Foundation, are posing for a commemorative photo before the luncheon meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul on August 21, 2025. Photo by Yongjun Cho

At a luncheon held at the Prime Minister's residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Prime Minister Kim said to Gates, the founder of Microsoft, "Combining the outstanding capabilities of Korean bio companies with the Gates Foundation's global network can create a synergistic effect," and added, "Let's discuss various ways of cooperation through the opening of the Gates Foundation's Korea office in the future."

Chairman Gates stated, "The vaccine and diagnostic device technologies of Korean bio companies are world-class," and continued, "Let's continue to work together with the Gates Foundation going forward." He also added, "We will actively share the Gates Foundation's international cooperation know-how and experience to help Korean companies enter the global market."

In addition, Chairman Gates requested that Korea further expand its contributions to global health, to which Prime Minister Kim responded, "We will increase our support for global health organizations to contribute to human health." Prime Minister Kim specifically mentioned the 'World Bio Summit,' which the Korean government has held annually since 2022, and asked Chairman Gates to participate so that the event can become a global forum for discussion in the health sector.

Bill Gates, Chairman of the Gates Foundation, is holding a meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press corps at a hotel in Seoul on the 21st. Photo by Ministry of Foreign Affairs Joint Press Corps

Regarding this, Chairman Gates held a meeting with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press corps at a hotel in Seoul later that afternoon. Emphasizing the need to expand Official Development Assistance (ODA), Gates said, "We hope the Korean government will establish a new ODA strategy and increase the budget," adding, "Among ODA initiatives, investing in international multilateral health organizations has the greatest impact."

The United Nations (UN) recommends that donor countries allocate ODA budgets equivalent to 0.7% of their Gross National Income (GNI). In Korea's case, the figure is less than 0.2%. Gates commented, "Korea is a very unique country that has transitioned from an aid recipient to a donor," adding, "It has achieved remarkable economic development and has now transformed into a nation with a very strong democracy." He further stated, "If every country could follow a development path like Korea's, there would be nothing more to wish for."

Regarding concerns about shrinking international aid following the abolition of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under the second Donald Trump administration, Gates said, "We are in discussions with the Trump administration and the U.S. Congress," and added, "Much of the budget that was cut has been restored, so in reality, there will not be a significant reduction."

When asked about the possibility of supporting North Korea in the future, Gates replied, "North Korea is a low-income country, so if they wish, we can work with health organizations to provide support." However, he also noted, "North Korea is uniquely a poor country that has chosen not to engage in such cooperation, so it is not a typical situation."

Regarding future visits to Korea, Gates said, "We are planning to establish a foundation office in Korea, and I am grateful and pleased about Korea's technological capabilities and the Gates Foundation partnership," adding, "I think it would be good to visit Korea every two to three years."