By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo

The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) hosted the Healthcare Innovation Seminar 2025 at the Seoul Shilla Hotel on September 18 under the theme “Proposal for the New Government - Driving Healthcare Innovation through Sustainable Regulatory Pathways.”

The seminar brought together over 150 participants, including senior government officials from both Korea and the United States, global healthcare leaders, and industry experts, to discuss how Korea can accelerate healthcare innovation while ensuring sustainability in an aging society.

Amid the inauguration of Korea’s new administration this year, the healthcare sector faces urgent challenges ranging from rapid aging and digital transformation to infectious disease preparedness.

Reflecting the emphasis on international cooperation and policy alignment highlighted at the 2025 APEC Health Ministers’ Meeting, AMCHAM organized the seminar to advance Korea’s healthcare innovation agenda, with a special focus on the government’s strategic push in AI, Bio, and the biohealth sector as a national growth priority.

AMCHAM Chairman & CEO James Kim opened the seminar by highlighting the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing healthcare. “Healthcare lies at the center of Korea’s ABCDE agenda - AI, Biotechnology, Culture & Content, Defense & Aerospace, and Energy Transition. Advancing policy reforms that foster innovation, particularly in pricing and reimbursement, will be critical not only to ensuring patient access to life-saving medicines in Korea, but also to strengthening Korea’s role as a global leader in biotechnology.”

Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) stated in her written remarks, “As the world confronts complex challenges such as population aging and digital transformation, driving healthcare innovation is essential to improving quality of life and strengthening national competitiveness. Under the vision of ‘K-Bio: Advancing into the Global Top Five,’ the Korean government is developing biohealth as a core strategic industry. To achieve meaningful advances in areas such as innovative medicines, biosimilars, and advanced regenerative therapies, we will accelerate regulatory reforms, expand R&D and public investment, and build stronger global networks to ensure the resilience of healthcare supply chains.”