[Reporter's View] Bio policy should remain consistent

despite a change of government

In November 2024, the Yoon Suk Yeol government officially announced the launch of the National Bio Committee.

 

The government aimed to operate a 'presidential' governance body in a preparatory response to the global bioeconomy era.

 

Considering that the previously established 'Bio-health Innovative Committee' was chaired by the Prime Minister, the National Bio Committee was regarded as an advancement in terms of its rank and role.

 

The establishment of a governance body overseeing the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, directly under the President, has long been a goal of the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

 

Previously, the pharmaceutical and biotech industry operated with separate development strategies fragmented across different divisions.

 

The wall between regulations and support policies, as well as the lack of a central coordinating point for strategic discussions, had been a long-standing concern for the industry.

 

When the government took an initiative to 'unify policies scattered across divisions and manage them,' the industry welcomed it with open arms.

 

There was great anticipation that a policy control tower would enable coordination of regulatory improvements, industrial support, and technological development at a governmental level.

 

However, just about a month after the committee's launch plan was announced, a state of emergency was declared, followed by martial law.

 

A continuous political chaos followed this.

 

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol faced an impeachment trial.

 

Ultimately, the Constitutional Court of Kora upheld his impeachment.

 

Following an early presidential election, President Lee Jae Myung took office on May 4th last month.

 

Even during the political turmoil, the National Bio Committee carried out two official schedules.

 

At its launch ceremony in January this year, the committee unveiled the "Republic of Korea Bio Grand Transformation Strategy." In its second meeting in May, it selected 10 key R&D areas, including AI-driven drug discovery·radiopharmaceuticals·gene therapies, and discussed development strategies.

 

However, there was insufficient time to yield accomplishments.

 

With the new administration taking power, the committee's existence became uncertain.

 

As an organization established by presidential decree, it is not an independent body under law.

 

It lacks authority in terms of organization, budget, and personnel.

 

In other words, it can be abolished at any time with the new government.

 

It is not uncommon for presidential committees to be abolished with the new administration.

 

New governments often introduce new slogans, and various committees have also disappeared with changes in power.

 

Will the National Bio Committee follow the same path?

 

This is a point of concern for the industry.

 

Given that the pharmaceutical and biotech industry development strategies proposed by the National Bio Committee were recognized for their industrial validity regardless of the administration, the potential disappearance of this newly launched committee is frustrating.

 

In the biotech industry, sustainability is more important than speed.

 

It typically takes over 10 years to develop a new drug and bring it to the global market.

 

This industry operates on a different timeline than a government's five-year term.

 

If industrial strategies are reset every time the government changes, it will be difficult for the Korean pharmaceutical and biotech industry to advance its global competitiveness.

 

Even if the government changes, the core axis of industrial strategy must be maintained.

 

The direction of breaking down walls between ministries and consolidating public and private capabilities should not disappear.

 

Even if a committee is renamed, its symbolism and status as a direct presidential committee should be preserved.