Exploring Strategies for Promoting AI Initiatives in Korean Medicine
The National Institute for Korean Medicine Development (Acting President Song Sujin) held a forum on September 30 in the First Conference Room of the National Assembly Members' Office Building under the theme "Korean Medicine in the Era of Digital Transformation (DX): Advancing with AI."
This event was co-hosted by six National Assembly members-Han Minsoo, So Byunghoon, Cho Junghoon, Hwang Jeonga, Cho Incheol, and Lee Juhui-and co-organized by the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development and the Association of Korean Medicine (President Yoon Sungchan), with support from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
The forum was organized to discuss future healthcare innovation directions that will drive digital innovation in the field of Korean medicine and to explore strategies for promoting AI initiatives in Korean medicine.
More than 80 representatives from academia, industry, and research institutions attended the forum.
Jung Younghoon, Director of Korean Medicine Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated in his opening remarks, "Digital innovation in Korean medicine will not only enhance public health but also serve as a critical turning point in elevating the global status of our medical industry by strengthening the competitiveness of the Korean medicine sector."
The first presentation, titled "A New Leap for Korean Medicine through AI Transformation," was delivered by Kim Sangjin, Head of the Korean Medicine AI Business Division at the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development.
Kim emphasized that the commercialization of AI in Korean medicine aligns with government policy and presents an opportunity to expand the industry. He highlighted the necessity of AI adoption by outlining future strategies and providing concrete examples of AI applications.
Following this, Professor Cho Sungbae of Yonsei University's College of Artificial Intelligence Convergence presented on "Strategies for Becoming a Leading Nation in AI in the Era of Digital Transformation (DX)," proposing national-level AI utilization strategies and the potential integration with Korean medicine.
The discussion session was chaired by Professor Kim Namil of Kyung Hee University College of Korean Medicine. Panelists included Kim Changjoo, CEO of Bodygen Medical; Kim Sangkyun, Ph.D., of the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine; Kim Changup, Professor at Gachon University College of Korean Medicine; Lee Eunkyung, Director of Policy at the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development; Han Juseok, Deputy Director of the Korean Medicine Industry Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare; and Baek Byungsoo, Team Leader for AI-Based Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT.
The panelists exchanged a variety of opinions, focusing on national AI-based policy for public health improvement and the current status and future directions of AI and big data utilization in the Korean medicine sector.
In particular, Lee Eunkyung, Director of Policy at the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development, stressed, "We must establish AI governance to integrate and utilize dispersed Korean medicine data, thereby maximizing synergy."
Yoon Sungchan, President of the Association of Korean Medicine, stated, "I hope today's forum will serve as a starting point for uniting the various strands of digital innovation accumulated across the Korean medicine community, and for advancing Korean medicine into a greater future by merging with AI."
Song Sujin, Acting President of the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development, remarked, "Korean medicine will accelerate its scientific and objective development through AI and data-driven innovation, establishing itself as a more trusted form of healthcare for the public. I hope this forum marks a new starting point for the convergence of Korean medicine and AI."
Meanwhile, in August, the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development launched the "Korean Medicine AI Business Division (Task Force)," a dedicated organization for AI projects in the field of Korean medicine.
The Korean Medicine AI Business Division is expected to lead digital innovation in the Korean medicine sector in line with the government's policy of making Korea one of the top three AI powerhouses, and to present a new paradigm for future healthcare.
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