Oh Yu-kyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety: "Food Safety Management and Drug Addiction Rehabilitation Support"

Key Policy Initiatives of the Current Administration:
Strengthening Meal and Nutrition Management for Vulnerable Groups
"50 Key Food and Drug Safety Initiatives" and Institutionalization of the "CDMO Special Act" Achieved

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has identified food poisoning safety management, drug addiction prevention and rehabilitation support, and meal and nutrition management for vulnerable groups as its key initiatives.

Oh Yukyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, is explaining the key projects of the current administration at a press conference held at a restaurant in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the 11th. Ministry of Food and Drug Safety

On the 11th, Oh Yukyung, Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, stated at a press briefing with the press corps, "The most important thing right now is to firmly protect the safety of the people." Commissioner Oh explained that, as part of food poisoning safety management, the ministry plans to designate food hygiene grades and expand food safety zones, aiming to reduce the risk of food poisoning not only for citizens but also for foreign tourists. She expects these efforts to have a positive impact on enhancing the national image and spreading K-culture.

Commissioner Oh also emphasized drug abuse prevention education and rehabilitation support for addicts, saying, "We will focus on preventive education to inform teenagers and young adults in their teens and twenties-the future generation-about the dangers of drugs, in order to create a society safe from drugs."

In response to the social change of an increasing elderly population, she pledged to expand integrated meal management centers for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities nationwide, in order to strengthen the safety and capabilities of meal facilities serving fewer than 50 people without nutritionists. The ministry plans to invest a total of 188.5 billion won next year to ensure food and nutrition safety, strengthen meal safety support and management, and create a safe and healthy dietary environment.

Regarding the introduction of a full labeling system for genetically modified foods (GMO), Commissioner Oh said, "It will be applied to foods that have passed safety inspections by the ministry, in order to ensure consumers' right to know," and added, "We will establish phased standards, taking into account the perspectives of the industry."

On the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical products, she said, "Cybersecurity is the most important issue," and explained, "Providing a safety net is not a concept opposed to regulation, but rather support that can serve as a guide for the industry." She added, "We are planning and will further expand on-site briefings to help startups and small business owners developing digital medical devices."

Commissioner Oh became the longest-serving head of the ministry in history, having been appointed as the first commissioner under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration in 2022 and then reappointed under the Lee Jae-myung administration in June this year, leading the ministry for over three years.

She cited the announcement of the "Top 50 Food and Drug Safety Tasks" last month, the "Special Act on Regulatory Support for Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) of Pharmaceuticals," and Korea's election as chair country of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables as the most meaningful achievements of the year. In particular, upon being elected as chair country, she took the lead in enhancing the global status of K-food by changing the international standard English name for the cabbage used in kimchi from "Chinese cabbage" to "Kimchi cabbage."

In response to a question about the recent misuse and attempted overseas importation of obesity treatments such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, she explained, "We have already completely blocked the act of purchasing obesity treatments as if they were tourist souvenirs," and added, "Even when individuals bring in small quantities with prescriptions obtained overseas, the customs authorities are strictly verifying the required documentation."

At a meeting on support measures for the bioindustry held in Songdo, Incheon, last September, when the pharmaceutical industry requested an exemption from phase 3 clinical trials for biosimilars, Commissioner Oh replied, "We have launched a public-private task force and are working to develop guidelines for exempting phase 3 clinical trials within the scope that does not affect safety, with the aim of completing them by early next year."

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