Discussion on Korea-US Health and Medical Cooperation Plans... Reaffirming Commitment to Joint Cancer Research Collaboration

Im In-taek, Director of the Health and Medical Policy Office at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, visited the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on the 26th (local time) and held a meeting with Lois Pace, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs.

Lois Pace, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (left), and Im In-taek, Director General of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare. [Photo by Ministry of Health and Welfare]

During the meeting, discussions were held on the importance of international solidarity in responding to global health crises and the need to explore new areas of cooperation to strengthen the foundation for future health and medical collaboration between Korea and the United States.

The health authorities of Korea and the U.S. reaffirmed the tangible achievements through the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), with which they have closely cooperated, and also discussed concrete plans for health and medical cooperation, including the revision of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on health and medical cooperation and the enhancement of research collaboration.

Director Im then attended the signing ceremony for the memorandum of understanding for comprehensive research cooperation between the Korea National Cancer Center and the U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI). Cancer research has been a field in which Korea and the U.S. have continuously discussed joint research, and this MOU signing reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation.

Director Im expressed his expectation, stating, "By combining Korea's cancer research resources and treatment capabilities with the U.S.'s cutting-edge cancer research capabilities, we will be able to produce innovative outcomes."

Director Im also attended a roundtable meeting with Korean-American scientists and representatives of the Korea-U.S. Life Sciences Association in the U.S., where he listened to the experiences of local researchers and exchanged opinions on the importance of supporting pharmaceutical and bio research and development and the development direction of Korean-style clusters.

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