■MEDIPOST announced on the 19th that it presented a research paper on its umbilical cord blood stem cell treatment, 'CATIS', for knee osteoarthritis patients at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual conference. The study, led by Professor Kim Seong-hwan of Severance Hospital, analyzed the treatment efficacy in 25 patients with cartilage defects and varus alignment. Patients who received CATIS treatment showed 86.7% restoration of normal cartilage, confirming the treatment's efficacy. Professor Kim Seong-hwan, who presented the findings, noted, "Patients with significant damage to knee cartilage can regenerate normal cartilage tissue," adding, "It will be a more effective option than existing treatments."
■Daewoong Pharmaceutical announced on the 19th that its orthopedic implant research and manufacturing subsidiary, CG MedTech, is moving forward with the construction of a new factory, covering approximately 700 pyeong. CG MedTech expects that the new factory will enhance its implant production capacity by 2034, increasing its global market competitiveness. The production volume of metal implant products is expected to increase more than threefold from 200,000 to 600,000 units, and a customized 3D printing production facility will also be introduced to strengthen market competitiveness. Construction on the new factory is expected to start in March, with a completion target in October.
■HK inno.N announced on the 19th that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Seongnam City on the 18th for win-win cooperation in the ESG environment sector. The MOU aims to establish a collaborative system for ESG activities involving Seongnam City, local corporations, and private organizations. Under the agreement, HK inno.N will promote activities linked to environmental facilities operated by Seongnam City, such as the Tancheon Wetland Ecological Park and the Pangyo Environmental Ecology Learning Center. It will also participate in biodiversity programs organized by Seongnam City, contributing to environmental protection in the community.
■The diagnostic technology company Noul announced on the 19th that it presented its AI-based cervical cancer diagnostic solution at the world's largest artificial intelligence (AI) conference, 'NVIDIA GTC 2025', held on the 17th. Noul has participated in NVIDIA's healthcare platform (base technology) called HealthCare & LifeScience since this year. At the event, Noul presented a paper on "On-device AI diagnostic solutions that bridge the gap in blood and cancer diagnostics." The company emphasized that many individuals face challenges accessing medical benefits due to centralized healthcare services and that automated on-site diagnostic platforms can help address this issue.
■Seoul National University Hospital announced on the 19th that it received a public medical project support fund of 100 million won from Lee Yeong-sool, a long-time benefactor. Lee Yeong-sool has continuously donated to the hospital to foster medical talent and advance medical research. Including this donation, the total amount donated is 8.87 billion won. The hospital stated that it will use the donation for public medical projects, including emergency medical services and treatment for rare and intractable diseases.
■Borame Medical Center in Seoul announced on the 19th that it has increased its pediatric and adolescent medical staff by six. This increase aligns with the support of Seoul's policy to strengthen public healthcare through the recruitment of specialists in essential treatment areas and the efforts of Borame Medical Center to enhance its public service. As the shortage of pediatric specialists has exacerbated nationwide, it is expected to help improve the pediatric emergency and severe care system.
■The Korean Association of Trainee Doctors announced on the 19th that it held the '8th Symposium and Regular General Meeting' at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno, Seoul, on the 14th. This symposium was conducted under the themes 'Suggestions for Optimal Training Environments for Resident Physicians' and 'How Training Environments Will Change in 2025.' Presenters offered recommendations on reducing working hours for resident physicians according to each academic society, as well as on improving training environments for various specialties. The government also introduced key initiatives it plans to promote this year, including support for innovation in training environments, a pilot program for multi-institutional collaborative training, and a pilot program to reduce working hours.
■The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that 'Medical Korea 2025', hosted by the Ministry and organized by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, will be held from the 20th to the 23rd at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. Medical Korea, which started in 2010, marks its 15th edition this year. It serves as a platform for the latest industry trends and international cooperation in the healthcare and medical tourism sectors through global healthcare and medical tourism conferences. This year's event will center on the theme 'AI-based personalized healthcare: turning into everyday life,' focusing on future strategies for healthcare innovation using AI technology. The event will take place in various forms, including academic conferences, business meetings, exhibition halls, and international cooperation.
■The National Mental Health Center, under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, announced on the 19th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Small and Medium Business Corporation to improve mental health for Tomorrow Saving Fund participants. Key agreement contents include the development of joint education programs and teaching materials for mental health promotion projects, business promotion and operation, and the establishment of sustainable education models. Through this MOU, the National Mental Health Center will support counseling management by linking Tomorrow Saving Fund members' employees with mental health assessments, psychological counseling, and regional mental health welfare centers. Education targeting employees of excellent companies in the Tomorrow Saving Fund will also be provided.
■The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and the Korea Drug Abuse Prevention Center announced on the 19th that they will operate a 'Social Rehabilitation Council for Drug Addiction' with related agencies. The council will collaborate on the operation of a conditionally dismissed prosecution system linked to judicial, treatment, and rehabilitation efforts and will focus on treatment and rehabilitation services for drug addicts as well as training for social rehabilitation programs. The councils will be established in eight regions utilizing the 17 One Step Centers nationwide. The inauguration of the 'Daegu-Gyeongbuk Council' on that day will kick off the sequential operation of the remaining seven councils.
■The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service's Northern Gyeonggi Branch announced on the 19th that it held a meeting of hospital directors to improve healthcare service quality in the northern Gyeonggi region on the 18th. The meeting was attended by directors from 10 medical institutions in the region. The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service provided information on newly revised standards, including the selective intensive review targets and criteria for spinal surgery. Current issues related to health insurance claim review systems were also discussed. The Northern Gyeonggi Branch has been conducting workshops for branch presidents of medical associations and meetings with hospital directors since last year.
■The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service's Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch announced on the 19th that it is holding meetings with local medical groups. The meetings began in January with the Gwangju-Jeonnam Medical Association and continued on February 26 with the Jeollanam-do Medical Association, on the 10th with the Jeollanam-do Korean Medicine Association and Jeollanam-do Pharmacy Association, on the 12th with the Jeollanam-do Dental Association, and on the 18th with local medical group leaders in Gwangju. The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service has shared its major business plans for the year, including comprehensive consulting for review and assessment, and discussed mutual cooperation plans for local healthcare issues.
■The Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency announced on the 19th that it is publicly recruiting a permanent appraiser to carry out medical accident assessment duties. One individual is planned for recruitment, and candidates must have held a dental license for more than six years. The permanent appraiser will be responsible for assessing medical dispute mediation cases and preparing reports as well as conducting assessment tasks requested by other organizations. Applications will be accepted from today until the 9th of next month, and only postal submissions are allowed.