Busan is good

Busan Accelerates Bid to Host National Dental Research Institute… TF Working Meeting Held

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The Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will hold a working-level task force (TF) meeting on the morning of June 19 at the Busan Institute of Science & Technology and Higher Education Promotion (BISTEP) to further accelerate the city’s bid to host the National Dental Research Institute.

The National Dental Research Institute, led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, was officially established with a legal basis through the revision of the Medical Technology Promotion Act in January 2024. Since then, Busan has actively pursued its bid by launching a Promotion Committee and a Working-Level TF in November 2024, and holding three TF meetings so far to develop a strategic roadmap for attraction.

Overview of the National Dental Research Institute

• ●Establishing Body: Ministry of Health and Welfare

• ●Purpose: Promotion of the dental industry and dissemination of R&D outcomes

• ●Main Functions: R&D, talent development, and technology transfer

• ●Legal Basis: Article 28-15 of the Medical Technology Promotion Act (enacted January 2024)

• ●Progress: Feasibility study and master plan development underway (Jul. 2024 – Jul. 2025)

Busan is regarded as an ideal location, offering:

• ●Outstanding medical infrastructure

• ●World-class dental medical technology

• ●A robust dental industry ecosystem

In particular, Busan’s experience in successfully hosting the Busan International Dental Exhibition (BDEX), as well as its concentration of dental universities, hospitals, and companies, forms a solid foundation for the successful establishment and growth of the institute.

The proposed site, Myeongji District in Gangseo-gu, offers optimal conditions:

• ●Excellent accessibility to Gimhae International Airport, Gadeok New Airport, and Busan New Port

• ●Industrial development potential through linkage with Eco Delta City Smart Healthcare Cluster

• ●Comfortable living conditions in Myeongji International New City

This TF meeting aimed to:

• ●Share the progress of Busan’s attraction efforts

• ●Review activities and future plans of each institution

• ●Refine strategic implementation plans and discuss concrete action steps

To strengthen strategic cooperation, Busan expanded the TF membership in May 2025 from 5 to 9 members, adding experts from:

• ●Korea Dental Technologists Association

• ●Korean Dental Hygienists Association

• ●Korea Dental Industry Association

This move enhances the cooperation system among industry, academia, research, healthcare, and government.

(*Original TF included Busan Biohealth Division Director, Vice President of Busan Dental Association, Professor of Prosthodontics at PNU Dental Hospital, BISTEP researcher, and Busan Techno Park Biohealth Center Director. The expanded TF includes a dental school professor, policy committee member, academic director, and PR director from industry groups.)

Meanwhile, Busan has consistently proposed that the central government adopt an open call process, rather than direct designation, to ensure transparency and fairness in selecting the site.

Moving forward, the city will:

• ●Maintain active communication with the National Assembly and central government

• ●Enhance its proposal to prepare for a potential open competition

• ●Use the TF’s support to further showcase Busan’s competitive edge

Jung Na-young, Director General of the Busan Future Technology Strategy Bureau, stated:

“The dental industry is a fast-growing, high-value-added field that will determine future national competitiveness. With its combination of advanced technology and infrastructure, Busan is the ideal location for the National Dental Research Institute, and we will concentrate all our efforts to secure its successful attraction.”