The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) is accelerating the transition to clinical trials based on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies, while strengthening global cooperation in the field. As demand for decentralized and digital clinical trials grows in the wake of COVID-19, the government plans to secure global competitiveness by building a clinical trial ecosystem centered on chronic diseases and fostering domestic contract research organizations (CROs).
The MOHW and the Korea National Enterprise for Clinical Trials (KoNECT) said they hosted the "2026 World Clinical Trials Day" commemorative event at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul on Thursday. About 100 participants, including officials from domestic pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and patient groups, attended the event to discuss the need for global clinical trial cooperation and directions for AI-based clinical trial innovation.
This year's theme was "Global Clinical Trial Cooperation." In the global clinical trial market, digital-based trials — including AI- and medical data-driven patient recruitment, more efficient trial design and remote monitoring — are spreading rapidly. The importance of long-term follow-up observation and the use of real-world data (RWD) is also growing as populations age and chronic diseases increase.
To respond to these changes, the MOHW plans to push forward the AI transition of clinical trials, build a clinical trial ecosystem in the chronic disease field, and strengthen the competitiveness of domestic CROs.
"Recent global clinical trials are seeing the introduction of AI-based clinical trial technologies along with an expanding share of chronic disease research," said Jung Eun-young, Director General of the Health Industry Policy Bureau at the MOHW. "We will continue to pursue policy support necessary for clinical trial AX and the fostering of domestic CROs to enhance national clinical trial competitiveness."
At the event, the Minister of Health and Welfare also presented commendations to 15 individuals who have contributed to the advancement of clinical trials. Cho Sang-hee, a professor at Chonnam National University Medical School, was recognized for building digital-based research infrastructure at Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital and for innovation in AI- and medical data-based clinical trials. Oh Sung-yong, a professor at Dong-A University Hospital, was honored for his achievements in global clinical trials and international joint research in oncology and rare and intractable diseases.
Moves by domestic CROs and hospitals to strengthen global competitiveness also drew attention. The list of awardees included officials from domestic CROs such as Dream CIS and LSK Global Pharma Services. The industry views strategic consulting and data-based clinical design capabilities, beyond simple trial operations, as emerging key elements of global competitiveness.
"Global clinical trials are shifting from competition between individual institutions to competition between cooperative systems that connect patients, medical institutions and research capabilities," said Park In-seok, Chairman of KoNECT. "We will provide support so that the industry can respond to global changes through the establishment of disease-specific cooperative systems."
