"Establishing a Digital Healthcare Platform in PK... Leading Remote Medical Technology for Sailors"

Input 2023.10.19. 3:02 AM

 Original Article 

Jo Won-ho Reporter

A Forum for Discussing Industrial Activation Measures - Utilizing Strengths such as Bio and Electronic Technologies
- Need for a Non-Face-to-Face Counseling System for Sailors

- AI Life Analysis ‘Lifelog’ Proposal
- Prevention Possible Based on Examination Data

- Effectiveness of Haeundae-gu's Well-Being Call System
- Customized Care for the Elderly, Including Meals and Sleep

It has been argued that a platform should be established for nurturing the digital medical industry targeting sailors and overseas Koreans entering and leaving Busan Port, in order to promote industrial activity and attract domestic and foreign companies in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam (PK). 

The ‘Policy Debate for Activating the Digital Medical Industry’ was held at the National Assembly on the 18th. At the forum hosted by National Assembly member Kim Mi-ae's office and organized by the International Newspaper and the International Buulgyeong Future Forum, it was suggested that a platform be established for nurturing the digital medical industry in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions. Reporter Kim Jeong-rok ilro12@kookje.co.kr

At the 'Policy Debate for Activating the Digital Medical Industry' held by National Assembly member Kim Mi-ae (pictured) of the People Power Party on the 18th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Song Hae-ryong, President of the Korea Digital Medical Convergence Industry Association, said, "The digital healthcare system is a platform where artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and the robot blockchain Bitcoin metaverse industry, which are the central axes of the 4th industrial revolution, can collaborate to achieve excellent results." He added, "In particular, PK has many university hospitals that are conducting clinical trials for the bio industry, digital therapeutics, and electronic drugs. In addition, there are many companies specialized in robot and electronic technology in the MOST's strong small special zone, the Gimhae Biomedical Industry Promotion Agency, Ulsan and Changwon, which have all the conditions to activate the digital medical industry." 

                                                                  National Assembly member Kim Mi-ae of the People Power Party.

He further emphasized, "If we form a task force (TF) with momentum and proceed in the near future, it can become a local government that can lead the digital industry in Korea."

President Song especially mentioned that Busan and Ulsan are 'port cities' and said, "They have good conditions for establishing a platform for remote medical treatment and non-face-to-face health consultations for sailors around the world." He also added, "Considering that the Overseas Koreans Agency has recently been established and the medical market is activating digital healthcare and related medical convergence industries for 7.5 million overseas Koreans, it can be well utilized as a good location for establishing long-term resort facilities."

Professor Lee Gil-yeon, a surgeon at Kyung Hee University Medical Center, who gave the keynote presentation, said, "With the development of data technology, the paradigm for health management is now changing from treatment-oriented to prevention-oriented," and proposed 'digitalization of health through data.'

He explained, "Everyday life becomes big data, and AI (artificial intelligence) analyzes it and recommends results." He also said, "We can create a platform to manage life based on data on 'life logs', which are responsible for 60% of health, and health checkup data that can be legally used." 'Life Log' refers to storing and searching everything in daily life using electronic devices. It refers to data that digitally records and stores one's daily life.

Na Gun-ho, head of the Naver Healthcare Research Institute, also proposed that life and health management is possible through the AI well-being call system created based on the super-large AI 'Naver Hyperclova'. In particular, he evaluated that the successful case was that the CareCall service was first implemented for residents of Haeundae-gu, Busan for two years from November 2021, resulting in 86% satisfaction. AI calls, asks about meals, sleep, and health, and continues customized conversations according to the resident's answers.

Director Na said, "Naver is noteworthy in that it is a 'generative AI' that does not require creating a separate data set because it has a data set called search." He also said, "We are modeling in a way that finds the most similar thing to (the other person's) context and outputs an appropriate response."

This forum, hosted by the International Newspaper, the International Buulgyeong Future Forum, and the Korea Digital Medical Convergence Industry Association, was held to discuss ways to resolve regulatory and conflict issues and revitalize services for digital medical platform services.

Reporter Jo Won-ho cho1ho@kookje.co.kr