Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to Launch Foundation in January Next Year
On December 17, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that it held the completion ceremony for the Natural Substance Safety Management Research Institute, which will be dedicated to systematic quality control and the revitalization of the industry for pharmaceuticals derived from natural substances.
Exterior view of the Natural Substance Safety Management Research Institute located in Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam. Photo by Ministry of Food and Drug Safety
The institute, located in Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan-si, Gyeongnam, was established based on the revised Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, which was amended in November. The total project cost was 19.6 billion won, including 14.1 billion won from the national budget and 5.5 billion won from the local government. Construction began in June 2023.
The institute consists of one basement level and three above-ground floors, with a total floor area of 5,315 square meters. It is equipped with open laboratories, quality inspection and research labs, and training rooms. Going forward, it will carry out work such as research and development (R&D) related to pharmaceuticals derived from natural substances, quality inspection and hazardous substance monitoring, professional workforce training, and consulting to support product commercialization. The institute will be operated by a foundation under the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, which is scheduled to launch in January 2026.
On the same day, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pusan National University. The two organizations agreed to support the early establishment of the institute and create a model for academic-research collaboration through joint research, policy and technical information exchange, personnel exchange, and shared use of research facilities and equipment.
The event was attended by key figures from government, local administration, and academia, including Park Wansu, Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do; Na Dongyeon, Mayor of Yangsan; Yoon Youngseok, National Assemblyman; and Choi Jaewon, President of Pusan National University.
Oh Yu-kyoung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, stated, "We plan to expand academic-research collaboration and support for product commercialization to promote the development and revitalization of the domestic natural substance pharmaceutical industry," adding, "The institute will serve as a benchmark for the management of natural substance pharmaceuticals that the public can trust."
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