보건복지부 영문홈페이지

Korea and ASEAN Adopt Joint Statement

to Strengthen Regional Health Cooperation through Digital Health

- Minister Cho KyooHong attends Korea-ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting and more-

Minister Cho KyooHong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) attended the 2nd Korea-ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting and the 10th ASEAN Plus Three (Korea, Japan, China) Health Ministers Meeting on Friday, August 9, in Vientiane, Lao PDR. At these consecutive meetings, he discussed strategies for cooperation to enhance regional health security and promote health through digital health initiatives.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)* holds biennial health ministers meetings with its dialogue partners, including Korea, Japan, and China, to discuss cooperation and address health issues in the region. This year marks the first time Korea has served as co-chair for both the Korea-ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting, established in 2022, and the ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting, which began in 2004.

* ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations): 10 member countries (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam)

** Major meetings: ASEAN, Korea-ASEAN, ASEAN Plus Three (Korea, Japan, China), US-ASEAN, China-ASEAN, etc.

At this year's meetings, held under the theme "Transforming ASEAN Health Development Resilience in a New Context," participants shared their policy experiences and discussed regional cooperation strategies.

During the Korea-ASEAN Health Ministers Meeting, Minister Cho emphasized the importance of utilizing digital technology in a rapidly changing healthcare environment, characterized by global aging trends and emerging public health crises. He also proposed a future cooperation vision that leverages Korea's strengths in the relevant field. The MOHW plans to support the improvement of healthcare systems in ASEAN member countries by establishing an "ASEAN Health Sector Digital Transformation Strategy" rooted in this vision.

At the ASEAN Plus Three Health Ministers Meeting, Minister Cho highlighted Korea's consistent efforts to strengthen health security, including the operation of the WHO Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing, the enhancement of infection disease response capabilities, and the promotion of cooperation in digital health to address cross-border health emergencies in the post-pandemic era. He also proposed expanding cooperation into new health sectors, such as mental health promotion and antimicrobial resistance.

Representatives from ASEAN member countries, including Bounfeng Phoummalaysith, Minister of Health of Lao PDR, and Budi Gunadi Sadikin, Minister of Health of Indonesia, expressed their support for Korea's proposed vision, which was incorporated into the joint statement adopted at the meetings.

Minister Cho stressed, "As we mark the 35th anniversary of Korea-ASEAN dialogue this year, Korea will take the lead in implementing bilateral health cooperation to contribute to improving health and the quality of healthcare for all in the region." ///