WHO Chief on First Korea Visit Since Taking Office: "AI Benefits for All Humanity"

WHO Director-General Visits Korea for First Time in 11 Years
Jointly Announces "Seoul Declaration on AI Healthcare"

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), visited Korea for the first time since taking office and said the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation should be shared equitably by all humanity. He and Health and Welfare Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong jointly announced the “Seoul Declaration on AI Healthcare,” pledging to work together to promote the safe and responsible use of AI and international solidarity.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), delivers opening remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Bio Summit, held at COEX Magok in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on the 21st. Yonhap News

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2026 World Bio Summit at the COEX Magok Convention Center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on October 21, Tedros said, “Healthcare innovation has true value when it narrows health disparities between countries and ensures equitable access,” adding, “We will continue our close partnership with the Korean government to ensure that the benefits of AI innovation reach all humanity.” This was the first visit to Korea by a WHO director-general in 11 years, since former Director-General Margaret Chan visited in 2015 to attend the World Congress of Nurses.

In her opening remarks, Minister Jeong also stressed that the international community should work together in the spirit of “AI-enabled primary healthcare” so that the fruits of AI innovation are not monopolized by any particular country or social group, and can be enjoyed by everyone around the world, regardless of geographical or socioeconomic barriers.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and WHO have jointly hosted the World Bio Summit annually since 2022 to strengthen responses to infectious disease emergencies and global health security. This year’s summit, themed “Spreading Biohealth Innovation Brought About by AI,” is being held over two days, October 21 and 22. The event was attended by health ministers and vice ministers from various countries, heads of international organizations, representatives of global pharmaceutical, biotech and AI companies, and academic experts.

Tedros and Minister Jeong then jointly announced the “Seoul Declaration on AI Healthcare.” This is the first time a WHO director-general has issued a declaration on the use of AI together with member states. The declaration sets out the principle that the benefits of AI innovation should reach everyone, and calls for the safe and responsible use of AI and practical international solidarity. Henry Gayaardo, president of the International Hospital Federation (IHF), also called for international action and solidarity in his remarks of support.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare expects the declaration to help Korea take the lead in discussions on AI in healthcare. During his visit to Korea, Tedros is also scheduled to attend the opening ceremony for the training facility at the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B) campus in Incheon, and visit the Ethiopia-Korea War Memorial Hall and a biopharmaceutical company in Chuncheon.

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