Shim Ki-jun, Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Integrated Healthcare Association, made this remark on the afternoon of the 17th at 2 p.m. during the launch ceremony of the ‘Korea FemTech Industry Council’ held in the association’s main conference hall, projecting the future of the FemTech industry.

Chairman Shim assessed that FemTech stands at a “turning point” to address structural issues facing society, beyond being a mere technology trend.

He stated, “There was a time when telemedicine and remote consultations were not socially welcomed, but they are now accepted without resistance. FemTech will follow a similar path as a technology that segments and safely manages women’s health across the full life cycle.”

Chairman Shim also linked the social value of FemTech to solving challenges such as low birth rates and population aging. He viewed FemTech as a key to tackling national-level issues, beyond managing individual women’s health, including declining fertility, aging population, and rising chronic disease rates.

“Women’s health is no longer optional—it is essential,” he said. “A society with healthy women is a happy society. The ultimate goal of the FemTech industry must be to create a ‘healthy woman, happy nation.’”

He proposed concrete measures such as the establishment of a “full-cycle policy support system.”

Chairman Shim emphasized, “It is not enough to simply establish legal grounds. A support system must be in place that connects demonstration projects in real-world settings, commercialization, and global expansion for the industry to grow properly.”

He added, “No single sector can drive the industry alone. When academia, the medical field, and industry come together for practical discussions and debates to find solutions, the FemTech industry can make a leap forward.”

The FemTech Industry Council was formed with the goal of developing the domestic FemTech ecosystem and securing global competitiveness. Initial members include Cha Healthcare, Kakao Healthcare, Lunit, Sugentech, AIDOT, Humanscape, Bundang CHA Hospital, and approximately ten other organizations with technological and clinical capabilities.

The council will focus its activities on three main strategies:

1. Establishing a technology and clinical collaboration platform

2. Driving regulatory innovation and policy proposals

3. Building a global network

The council aims to serve as a bridge to reflect the voices of the field in government policy.

Glossary

- FemTech: A combination of ‘Female’ and ‘Technology.’ Refers to software, diagnostic tools, and services that utilize advanced IT technologies such as AI and big data to manage women’s health and improve quality of life. Covers healthcare solutions across the entire female life cycle, including menstruation, infertility, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Expanding beyond health management into sexual health and wellness.

News1 / December 17, 2025 / Reporter Hwang Jin-jung