South Korea must make most of the momentum of virus pandemic and establish a command to systematically promote bio sector as threat from infectious disease could be a fixture, experts agreed.

Kwon Sung-hoon, a researcher at National Assembly Research Service during a seminar held on Tuesday., argued for national resources concentrated to science and technology, as he spoke in the seminar on post-coronavirus era under the title of Global Healthcare Regime and Future of Life Science. The seminar which took place at the National Assembly building was co-hosted by Rep. Cho Jung-hoon, member of Transition Korea, National Assembly Research Service, Yeosijae and Maeil Business Newspaper.

Kwon said that organizations related to science and technology should break down the walls between them to strengthen cooperation. To this end, a science and technology innovation council should be built to respond to major social and economic issues such as the pandemic in a more speedy, flexible and systematic manner.

Professor Lee Dong-woo, Department of Biotechnology, Division of Life Sciences at Yonsei University said the COVID-19 crisis provided people with an opportunity to reflect on negligent attitudes despite numerous warnings, helping them turn to a common value of humanity, which is a safer life.

Shin Sang-cheol, the co-founding CEO of Eone Diagnomics Genome Center (EDGC), who was also in the panel session, said the war against the epidemic will be an unending one and people’s wisdom and preparedness will be necessary to make this crisis another opportunity, emphasizing Korea should take the best advantage of its proven healthcare system, power of K-bio industry and mature sense of citizenship.

By Kim Si-gyun and Minu Kim

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