Government Kicks Off Gangwon's Bio Growth Engine, Investing 40.5 Billion Won in R&D and Infrastructure

Localization of Key Materials, Components and Equipment for Ultrasound Catheters; Establishment of In Vitro Diagnostic Performance Evaluation Center
Four Agreements Signed by MOTIE, MFDS and Others to Support the Entire Process from Technology Development and Regulatory Approvals to Exports

Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeonggwan (left) listens to an official briefing on operations at the Chuncheon Bioindustry Foundation in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, on the 14th. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The government will provide support throughout the entire lifecycle of Gangwon Province's bio industry, from technology development and regulatory approvals to exports. It will invest 40.5 billion won in localizing key materials, components and equipment for ultrasound catheters and building infrastructure for in vitro diagnostic medical devices. It will also expand the adoption of artificial intelligence transformation (AX) at bio manufacturing sites, centered on the Hupyeong Industrial Complex in Chuncheon.

On October 14, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan visited Chuncheon as part of his field visits to foster the three growth engines of the Gangwon region. The region has selected smart bio and medical devices, specialized semiconductors and ceramics, and clean resources and tourism as its three growth engines, and is developing them into an “AI and clean industry innovation hub.”

At the Chuncheon Bioindustry Foundation that day, Minister Kim signed four agreements to foster the region's bio industry with Oh Yu-kyung, Minister of Food and Drug Safety, and others. The agreements provide support throughout the entire process for bio and medical device companies, from technology development and performance verification to domestic and international regulatory approvals and exports.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety will strengthen cooperation in three areas: AI transformation across the bio industry's entire lifecycle, localization of bio materials, components and equipment, and export support and supply chain stabilization. They will jointly participate in R&D on AI-integrated technologies and products, as well as bio materials, components and equipment. They will also establish a policy council to share information on overseas regulations and help companies develop sales channels.

The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association will establish a standing cooperation framework between the “K-Bio Desk” and the “Pharmaceutical Export Regulation Support Office.” They will support domestic pharmaceutical and bio companies in responding to overseas regulations and approval requirements, as well as identifying global buyers.

A total of 40.5 billion won will be invested in localizing bio materials, components and equipment and building medical device infrastructure. On the condition that Siemens Healthineers purchases and conducts demonstrations of the products, Taeyang 3C and Valid will localize key materials, components and equipment for ultrasound catheters, including sensors and cables. The project will receive a total investment of 10 billion won by the end of 2028, including 6.6 billion won in government funding.

The Chuncheon Bioindustry Foundation will establish an “In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Performance Evaluation Center” by 2030, with a total investment of 30.5 billion won. The center will provide performance testing services, develop nonclinical testing and evaluation technologies, offer domestic and international certification consulting, and train specialists in regulatory science.

The government will also accelerate AI transformation at manufacturing companies in Gangwon Province. The Hupyeong Industrial Complex in Chuncheon is the only bio-focused complex among the country's 13 AX demonstration industrial complexes. A demonstration project for AX in biopharmaceutical materials has been underway there since September 2025. The government plans to develop a standard data model for the bio sector, assess the level of AX adoption at individual companies, and establish a regulatory innovation framework based on needs at manufacturing sites.

“M.AX is no longer a matter of choice; it is a matter of survival,” Minister Kim said. “The Hupyeong Industrial Complex is a distinctive model in which the Chuncheon Bioindustry Foundation serves as the anchor institution instead of an anchor company. We will provide all the support needed, including a 5G private network, an edge AI data center and an M.AX Academy, so that the foundation's work to standardize processes and data can become a model for AX demonstration industrial complexes.”

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will support Gangwon Province in drawing up a plan to foster its three growth engines by the end of 2026, and will also help ensure that related companies follow through on their investments. Kangwon National University in Chuncheon has been selected to host a bioindustry-focused graduate school and will receive 15 billion won in support starting in 2027.

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