Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Rallies Support for National Dental Research Institute Bid, to Host Southeastern Region Dental Symposium on October 29

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Chun Jae-soo) announced that it will co-host the Symposium in Support of Attracting the National Dental Research Institute to Busan with Pusan National University Dental Hospital at Busan City Hotel in Yeonje-gu at 4:00 p.m. on October 29.

The symposium will be jointly hosted by Busan Metropolitan City and Pusan National University Dental Hospital, organized by Busan Techno Park, and supported by the Busan Dental Association, Busan Dental Technicians Association, and Busan Dental Hygienists Association.

The symposium aims to raise awareness of the role of the National Dental Research Institute and the need for its establishment, while highlighting the merits of locating the institute in Busan based on the city's dental industry infrastructure and the southeastern region's strategic location.

Representatives from the dental profession, industry, universities, hospitals, and related organizations across Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do will gather to build consensus on the need to establish the institute in Busan and strengthen their commitment to regional cooperation.

The event will begin with a progress report on Busan's bid to host the institute, followed by expert presentations, a panel discussion, and a collective demonstration of support for the bid.

During the expert presentations, Kim Hyeong-ryong, former Chair of the Special Committee for the Establishment of the National Dental Research Institute, will speak on "The 12-Year Journey Toward Establishing the National Dental Research Institute and the Way Forward." Kim Sung-sik, Dean of the School of Dentistry at Pusan National University, will present on "Strategies for Attracting the National Dental Research Institute."

The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion on "Cooperation Strategies for the Development of the Dental Industry in the Southeastern Region," moderated by Kim Hyun-chul, President of Pusan National University Dental Hospital. The event will conclude with all participants joining a collective demonstration to reaffirm their commitment to bringing the institute to Busan.

The southeastern region is home to the largest concentration of dental industry businesses outside the Seoul metropolitan area and possesses strong international healthcare capabilities. Busan, in particular, has an established network of dental healthcare institutions, businesses, research facilities, and workforce development programs. The city is working to integrate these resources to foster a dental industry spanning research, clinical applications, commercialization, and exports.

Busan currently has 1,835 dental-related establishments, including 1,360 dental hospitals and clinics and 475 dental laboratories. The city produces more than 600 trained professionals annually, and 5,391 people work in related fields.

Pusan National University's School of Dentistry and Dental Hospital lead research and workforce development, while major dental companies such as DIO, Cowellmedi, and Seil Global drive industrial commercialization. The Busan Digital Dentistry Exhibition (BDEX), held annually since 2018, serves as a gateway for companies seeking to enter overseas markets.

The proposed site in Gangseo-gu offers transportation and logistics advantages due to its proximity to Gimhae International Airport, Gadeokdo New Airport, and Busan New Port. Busan also highlights its residential environment and nearby medical and biotechnology infrastructure as key advantages of the proposed location.

In addition, Busan Metropolitan City has continued to foster the dental industry while establishing administrative and institutional support mechanisms.

In 2017, Busan became the first local government in the country to establish a dedicated dental industry team. In 2018, it enacted the Busan Metropolitan City Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of the Dental Industry. The city further strengthened its industry support system by operating the Dental Industry Support Committee in 2019.

Busan Metropolitan City plans to use the symposium as an opportunity to broaden community-wide support for its bid and devote its full efforts to attracting the National Dental Research Institute, drawing on its existing industrial infrastructure and experience in implementing policies to promote the dental industry.

Working through the bid promotion committee and a dedicated working-level team, the city will gather expert opinions to develop a detailed response plan for the competitive site selection process and prepare local government support measures for the institute's establishment and operation.

The city will also expand public participation initiatives, including a citywide signature campaign and promotional activities linked to dental exhibitions. It plans to strengthen cooperation among industry, academia, research institutions, and hospitals across Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongsangnam-do, reinforcing the case for a united southeastern regional bid.

Kim Dong-hyun, Director General of the AI Industry Innovation Bureau, said, "Busan was the first city in the country to develop dentistry as an industry. Building on the collective capabilities and determination demonstrated by the southeastern region at this symposium, we will mobilize all our resources to ensure that the National Dental Research Institute is established in Busan."