O Yu-kyung, Director of MFDS, "Supporting Industrial Growth through Enhanced Safety Management and Regulatory Innovation"

Innovation in Digital and Data-Based Safety Management Systems Integrating Advanced Science and Technology

Oh Yu-kyung, the newly appointed Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, is delivering her inaugural speech at the inauguration ceremony held on the 27th at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Cheongju, Chungbuk.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Oh Yu-kyung, the newly appointed Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), stated, "We will innovate the regulatory paradigm to foster industries such as food tech, bio, and digital health."

At the inauguration ceremony held on the 27th at the MFDS office in Osong-eup, Cheongju-si, Chungbuk Province, Commissioner Oh emphasized, "As a key player in national governance, we must understand the national vision and goals presented by the new government and do our best to successfully fulfill the missions promised to the people."

Commissioner Oh said, "The MFDS is responsible for the safety of food and pharmaceutical products directly connected to the lives of the people, and its role in supporting industries producing these products to lead the global market based on safety and trust cannot be overstated in realizing the national vision."

To this end, she promised to first strengthen the safety net so that any changes in people's lives do not cause anxiety. Commissioner Oh explained, "If the safety of food and medical products, which are the pillars protecting our lives, collapses, nothing can be done. We will proactively detect newly emerging risk factors caused by social changes or technological advancements to eliminate blind spots, and upgrade the level of safety management through innovation of digital and data-based safety management systems incorporating advanced science and technology."

She stated that she will pave the way and provide direction in advance so that new industries such as food tech, bio, and digital health do not fail due to the walls of safety and trust. Commissioner Oh said, "While protecting the social purpose of regulation, which is public safety, we will boldly and strongly promote regulatory innovation that fosters corporate innovation and creativity. Through 'regulatory science' based on science and evidence, we will establish a regulatory ecosystem where industry, academia, research, and government grow together, and lead global regulatory standards so that our technologies are recognized in the global market."

Regarding the inclusion of social values, she said, "We will proactively create policies that go beyond traditional safety management frameworks by reflecting contemporary demands such as consideration for vulnerable health groups, climate and environmental crises, and eco-friendly consumption. We will support everyone to enjoy healthy eating habits and propose safety standards that promote resource recycling to help improve the industry's eco-friendly structure."

Commissioner Oh, who took office as the head of the MFDS on its 10th anniversary this year, also expressed gratitude to former Commissioner Kim Kang-rip and the staff for their efforts and dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic.

She emphasized, "The MFDS has established itself as a genuine food and drug safety expert agency by flawlessly managing the supply of essential quarantine medical products during the COVID-19 infectious disease crisis. However, we must seriously acknowledge that the public's expectations and desires are growing and evolving, and we must grow further as the MFDS that leads new futures and changes." She added, "The first key to the growth of the MFDS is expertise; the MFDS must become experts in science and technology, crisis management, and public communication."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.