The Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) announced that its President, Min Byung-joo, visited Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, a region designated as a Global Innovation Special Zone, to review the on-site implementation of AI-based personalized healthcare and gather stakeholder feedback on regulatory rationalization in the health sector.

The Global Innovation Special Zone initiative provides domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in new industries—where testing and demonstration are difficult under Korean regulations—with opportunities for overseas trials. Since last year, KIAT has supported research, development, and demonstration projects within these zones.

The bioindustry, a national advanced strategic industry, has high growth potential but is subject to numerous regulations related to safety and personal information.

Consequently, demonstration support through the Global Innovation Special Zone is considered especially critical for this sector.

Gangwon Province, designated last year as a Global Innovation Special Zone in AI healthcare, has applied regulatory exemptions for remote clinical trials and telemedicine.

The province is currently conducting demonstrations and international collaborative research in the United States, Thailand, and Estonia.

Through the designation, Gangwon aims to analyze residents’ health data using AI, enabling more precise and personalized patient care. The results of these demonstration projects are expected to be applicable to regions with declining populations and limited healthcare access.

Participants in the roundtable discussion—including representatives from Gangwon Technopark, GeomexSoft, Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Meju, TS Cell Bio, J&P Medi, and AIDOT—highlighted that the cross-ministerial regulatory environment slows commercialization and hinders competitiveness in the AI healthcare market.

They proposed improvements in approval procedures, consulting support on personal data security, and programs to protect intellectual property, aiming to enhance the global competitiveness of domestic companies.

After the roundtable, President Min toured the telemedicine demonstration site at Hallym University Medical-Bio Convergence Research Institute, where remote clinical trials are conducted. The facility manages the delivery of pharmaceuticals and medical devices necessary for virtual trials, targeting residents with chronic diseases for remote healthcare testing.

President Min stated, “We will ensure that companies can experience the benefits of regulatory rationalization by linking domestic and international demonstration trials, infrastructure, and commercialization support. We will also incorporate field feedback quickly to prevent delays in bringing new technologies to market.”

Photo caption: Min Byung-joo (center) and attendees at the commemorative photo session at the event in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province.

From the front row, left to right: Park Kwang-yong (Director, Advanced Industry Bureau, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province), Min Byung-joo (KIAT President), Heo Jang-hyun (Director, Gangwon Technopark). 

Busan Ilbo / December 2, 2025 / Reporter Song Hyun-soo