Gyeonggi Province to Foster Healing Care Industry with 8 Institutions...115 Billion Won Investment Through 2023

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hoon] Gyeonggi Province will invest 11.5 billion won through 2023 together with eight institutions including Ansan City and Pocheon City to establish demonstration bases in the healing care sector, fostering new industries in beauty, food, and medical culture (a fusion of healthcare and culture).

On December 2, Governor Lee Jae-myung of Gyeonggi Province, Mayor Yoon Hwa-seop of Ansan City, Mayor Park Yun-guk of Pocheon City, President Kim Ki-jun of the Gyeonggi Economic Science Promotion Agency, Representative Director Jin Seok-beom of the Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation, Director Lee Hwa-soon of the Gyeonggi Social Service Agency, President Han Gyun-tae of Kyung Hee University, Research Vice-President Kim Nan-hee of Korea University Ansan Hospital, and Research Vice-President Lee Sang-jo of Cha University, along with leaders of nine institutions and organizations, held a project launch report and signed an MOU at Gyeonggi Provincial Government building for the 'Construction of Data-Based Demonstration Support Platform for Healing Care Products and Services.' The parties agreed to cooperate mutually to vitalize the healing care industrial ecosystem in Gyeonggi Province and realize a healthy community.

Provincial Assembly members Choi Jong-hyun, Kim Hyun-sam, and Lee Won-ung also attended the MOU signing ceremony.

Governor Lee Jae-myung stated, "The healing care industry is part of the future industry. As average life expectancy increases and desire for health grows stronger, demand and market for products and services to live healthier lives will expand significantly." He added, "I hope this agreement will be an opportunity for the healing care industry to become centered in Gyeonggi Province and for the participating research institutions and relevant regions to achieve great development."

Mayor Yoon Hwa-seop of Ansan City said, "Ansan has about 20,000 industrial complexes, 88,000 foreign residents from 106 countries, and a medical school, making it the most suitable city for conducting healing care demonstrations." He asked, "We request your continued interest so that research can proceed steadily."

Mayor Park Yun-guk of Pocheon City emphasized, "We will make efforts to foster the healing care industry that can lead the post-COVID era and improve the quality of life of provincial residents."

Under the agreement, these institutions will develop strategies to vitalize the healing care industry in Gyeonggi Province, nurture talent, and carry out joint projects.

They also agreed to cooperate in supporting and fostering relevant companies, utilizing and disseminating achievements, and exchanging technological information and human resources.

The 'Construction of Data-Based Demonstration Support Platform for Healing Care Products and Services' project to commence is based on the project's selection in July for the Industrial Innovation Infrastructure Development Contest by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The project will establish demonstration bases in the four major healing sectors—beauty, exercise, food, and medical culture—in the Gyeonggi region and construct product and service evaluation facilities and test analysis equipment for healing care.

Accordingly, Yongin Healthy Aging Center (exercise and food), Ansan Smart Clinical Center (medical culture), and Pocheon Beauty Care Center (beauty) will be established.

The Gyeonggi Economic Science Promotion Agency, the lead organization, along with participating institutions Kyung Hee University, Korea University, and Cha University, will support corporate demonstrations, collect demonstration data to establish an integrated data management system, and foster the new industry through one-stop corporate support including joint research and development of products, technical support, overseas expansion, and marketing consulting.

Additionally, the organizations plan to develop healing service programs and distribute them to welfare facilities and organizations through the Gyeonggi Welfare Foundation and Gyeonggi Social Service Agency.

The project will receive a total investment of 11.5 billion won through 2023, comprising government funds (8 billion won), local government funds (800 million won), and private sector funds (2.7 billion won).