
The South Korean government aims to establish a Korean-style bio cluster and accelerate AI- and data-driven biotech research and development (R&D). (Image courtesy of Pixabay)
SEOUL, Jan. 24 (Korea Bizwire) — The South Korean government has announced an ambitious initiative to position the country as one of the world’s top five biotech powerhouses by establishing a Korean-style bio cluster and accelerating AI- and data-driven biotech research and development (R&D).
The plan aims to elevate the biotech industry to a level comparable to South Korea’s globally dominant semiconductor sector.
During the inaugural meeting of the National Bio Committee, held on January 23 at the Seoul Bio Hub, the government revealed its “Bio Transformation Strategy for South Korea.” The strategy outlines key infrastructure, R&D, and industrial priorities, with the overarching goal of fostering innovation and global competitiveness.
The committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, includes 24 civilian experts, such as KAIST professor Lee Sang-yup, and 12 government officials, including presidential aides and ministers from various agencies.
Korean Bio Cluster and Workforce Expansion
Central to the strategy is the establishment of a collaborative network linking more than 20 scattered bio clusters across the nation. By integrating their strengths and creating a shared infrastructure system, the government seeks to generate 10,000 new jobs and improve efficiency. A comprehensive bio-health cluster innovation strategy is set to be finalized by mid-2025.
To address regulatory barriers, the committee plans to identify and reform outdated policies while developing a roadmap for regulatory innovation. Guidelines for emerging technologies, such as AI-based medical devices, will be aligned with global standards to accelerate market entry.
On the talent front, South Korea will nurture 110,000 skilled professionals in the bio-health sector by 2027. Specialized training programs, such as AI drug development courses, will be expanded, alongside initiatives to recruit international scholars and send domestic researchers abroad.
AI-Powered Drug Development and Data Revolution
The government aims to shorten the drug development timeline from 13 years to 7 years and reduce costs by 50% through AI integration. A public biofoundry with world-class capabilities will support this transformation, enabling breakthroughs in personalized medicine and other challenging fields.
Efforts to enhance data collaboration include opening up datasets from 15 public research institutions and linking data sources across government, research centers, and hospitals. The ultimate goal is to collect 10 million bio-related data points on a national platform by 2035. High-performance computing infrastructure, featuring 3,000 GPUs, will underpin this data-driven research ecosystem.

The government envisions the biotech industry as South Korea’s “second semiconductor” (Image courtesy of Pixabay/CCL)
Industrial Growth and Global CDMO Leadership
The government envisions the biotech industry as South Korea’s “second semiconductor” by focusing on manufacturing innovation, corporate growth, and Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) leadership.
The plan includes expanding the nation’s CDMO capacity 2.5 times by 2032, enabling South Korea to secure the top spot globally in production and revenue.
A new “K-BioMade” project will also be launched to automate and standardize processes, from candidate molecule development to manufacturing. Public CDMO facilities will be made available to biotech startups struggling with production capabilities.
To address funding challenges, the government will establish a bio-dedicated fund exceeding ₩1 trillion (approximately $714 million) and expand policy-driven financial support for bio ventures. Efforts will also focus on increasing self-sufficiency in bio-related materials, parts, and equipment, with a target of raising the domestic sourcing rate to 15% by 2030.
Additionally, the government projects that domestic CDMO firms will secure ₩21 trillion (around $15 billion) in cumulative investments by 2032, enabling them to achieve a production capacity of 216 million liters, cementing South Korea’s global leadership in the sector.
Deputy Minister Lee Chang-yoon of the Ministry of Science and ICT emphasized the government’s commitment to timely execution. “We will finalize actionable tasks and closely monitor their progress to ensure the success of our strategy,” Lee said during a press briefing.
The National Bio Committee, established with a mandate through mid-2027, is working on legal measures to ensure its sustainability and long-term impact.
This comprehensive initiative reflects South Korea’s determination to transform its bio sector into a global leader, leveraging cutting-edge technology and strategic collaboration.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)