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Ministry of Health and Welfare Holds '2025 World Clinical Trials Day Commemoration Event'... Emphasizing 'Inclusivity' in Clinical Trials, Minister of Health and Welfare Commendation Awarded to Contri

  • Jul 6
  • 2 min read


The Ministry of Health and Welfare (Minister Gyu-hong Jo) and the Korea National Enterprise for Clinical Trials (KONECT, Chairman In-seok Park) held the '2025 World Clinical Trials Day Commemoration Event' on the 21st at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Seoul-On Video Studio).


World Clinical Trials Day was established to commemorate the first modern clinical trial conducted on May 20, 1747, by British Royal Navy surgeon James Lind, who tested treatments for scurvy on sailors during a voyage.


More than 60 attendees participated in the event, including representatives from major domestic pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and patient organizations. Commendations from the Minister of Health and Welfare were presented to 15 individuals who have contributed to the advancement of clinical trials.


In particular, Professor Byung-chae Kim of Chonnam National University Hospital was recognized for his contributions to expanding clinical trial participation among marginalized groups such as elderly patients through clinical research on new treatments for Alzheimer's disease and neurological disorders. Myung-hee Han, a steering committee member of the Korea Neuroendocrine Tumor Patient Association, received the award for her contributions to improving access to clinical trial information and guaranteeing participation rights, based on her experience as a patient participant.


Following the commendation ceremony, the keynote lecture was delivered by Minister's Commendation recipient Professor Byung-ok Choi of Samsung Seoul Hospital, who spoke on the theme of 'Inclusivity in Clinical Trials,' emphasizing the importance of ensuring equity and representation in clinical trial participation and the need to expand participation among marginalized groups such as the elderly and patients with rare diseases.


Eun-young Jeong, Director-General of Health Industry Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated: "Korea has steadily strengthened its clinical trial capabilities and secured a leading position in the global market. We will continuously support Korea's emergence as a global leader in biohealth by pursuing a range of policies — including advancing the full-cycle clinical trial support system, building data-based decentralized clinical trial infrastructure, and activating investigator-initiated clinical trials — so that diverse groups including the elderly, children, people with disabilities, and patients with rare diseases can participate safely and without exclusion from clinical trials."




 
 
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