Healthcare experts call for regulatory reforms to support sustainable growth of South Korea's healthcare sector

By Kim Han-joo

SEOUL, Sept. 3 (Yonhap) -- Healthcare experts from South Korea and the United States on Thursday called for regulatory reforms aligned with global standards to support the sustainable growth of South Korea's healthcare sector and improve patient care.

The calls were made during an annual healthcare innovation seminar hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) in Seoul, which brought together about 150 senior government officials, business leaders and healthcare experts from both countries.

Participants emphasized the need for greater alignment with global policy standards amid ongoing discussions between the two countries over regulatory competitiveness and non-tariff barriers.

Notably, local doctors highlighted the importance of precision medicine in the era of artificial intelligence (AI).

"Precision diagnostics and treatment are urgently needed in disease care," said Lee Ji-beom, a professor specializing in lung cancer at Yonsei University Hospital.

She cited genome testing for advanced lung cancer patients with metastatic disease as an example, saying precision testing is necessary but currently difficult to implement because of regulatory barriers.

"Precision technologies have the potential to make a significant contribution to improving treatment outcomes for cancer patients in South Korea and advancing innovation in new drug development," said Kim Doo-sik, a healthcare investment ombudsman.

Other experts called for regulatory improvements for patients awaiting cornea transplants, saying access is currently restricted by regulations that treat corneas in the same way as other human tissue.

Michael Titus, chief operating officer of Eversight, a U.S.-based nonprofit eye bank, called for legislation specifically addressing corneal transplants.

"South Korea has made meaningful progress on healthcare reform. The priority now is to translate that progress into tangible results through implementation that is predictable and transparent, expands patient access and supports continued innovation," said AMCHAM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) James Kim.