보건복지부 영문홈페이지

Strengthening Korea-Singapore Health Cooperation

 

- Minister Cho KyooHong met with Singapore's Senior Minister of State and Chairman of A*STAR -

- Meeting with Korean scientists and entrepreneurs in biohealth sector in Singapore

to explore opportunities for future collaboration -

 

Minister Cho KyooHong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Republic of Korea visited Singapore from August 7 (Wed) to August 8 (Thu) to discuss and advance health cooperation between Korea and Singapore. During his visit, Minister Cho met with Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, and Prof. Tan Chorh Chuan, Chairman of the Singapore Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). He also toured the Biopolis and engaged with local scientists and business leaders to explore avenues for enhancing bilateral health collaboration.

 

At their meeting, Minister Cho and Senior Minister Puthucheary highly acknowledged the progress made in Korea-Singapore cooperation within the ASEAN region and other international organizations, such as the WHO. They discussed expanding future collaboration to strengthen public health systems and promote the digital health and biohealth industries. They also agreed to initiate discussions on signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize health cooperation in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Korea-Singapore diplomatic relations next year.

 

Minister Cho also met with the Chairman of A*STAR, Prof. Tan Chorh Chuan, and toured Biopolis, Singapore's leading bioindustry complex, where he was briefed on the research and development support policies, current status, and success factors. He also visited mRNA research facilities and met with local Korean businesses, including Prestige Biopharma.

 

Since the early 2000s, the Singaporean government has aimed to develop the biohealth industry by establishing the Biopolis, which serves as an innovation hub for its science and technology sector, facilitating collaboration and research among institutions, hospitals, universities, and industries in Singapore.

 

Biopolis has established itself as a leading bioindustry complex in Asia, housing over 50 biotech companies, including global leaders such as Abbott, Roche, MSD, P&G, and AbbVie, enabled by its excellent research infrastructure and funding support. The Singaporean government continues to enhance its competitiveness in the global biohealth market through consistent investment.

 

Additionally, Minister Cho met with Korean scientists and entrepreneurs in the biohealth sector in Singapore to hear about their success stories and policy recommendations. They discussed ways to enhance global expansion through the ASEAN market and strengthening international joint research. Among those present were nine scientists and entrepreneurs engaged in clinical and research development in Singapore, including Moon Seung Ki, President of the Korean Scientists and Engineers Association in Singapore (and a professor at Nanyang Technological University), as well as Chang Hyun Kee and Lee Su Seong from Singapore's A*STAR.

 

Finally, Minister Cho visited Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, a leading name in medical tourism in Asia, to gain an overview of its current status on and support policies for attracting foreign patients. He also exchanged views on the case of Korean medical institution entering the market(Singapore Medical Group*).

 

* With a 41% stake in Singapore Medical Group, CHA Healthcare operates within Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and runs a nearby radiology clinic (LifeScan)

 

Based on the diverse feedback gathered from the aforementioned visits, the Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to continuously advance measures to expand market presence in both ASEAN and globally, including by expanding domestic and international joint research, strengthening Korea-Singapore cooperation, and revitalizing bioindustrial complex.

Minister Cho will travel to Lao PDR to attend the 2nd ASEAN-ROK Health Ministers Meeting(AROK HMM) and the 10th ASEAN Plus Three(Korea, Japan, China) Health Ministers Meeting(APTHMM) on Friday, August 9, to discuss strategies for ASEAN health cooperation. ///