A Policy Framework for Strengthening U.S.-ROK Collaboration on Biotechnology

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

MAIN ARGUMENT

Biotechnology—the application of biological processes to develop new products and capabilities—is already used extensively to improve health, agriculture, energy, and industry. Both the U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK) have significant interests in developing their biotech sectors to capitalize on positive outcomes, including economic growth, advances in healthcare, and improvements to food security. With advances in engineering tools applied to biology, coupled with artificial intelligence and automation, emerging biotechnology is on the cusp of unleashing a wave of scientific, economic, and military innovations. At the same time, advances in biotechnology will introduce significant new threats and challenges as the risk of misuse also grows. Given the scale and scope of its potential economic and national security implications, biotechnology stands at the forefront of the era of strategic competition. Strengthening U.S.-ROK cooperation on biotech development and use in ways that align with shared values will benefit both countries. Working together with key allies and like-minded partners will be essential in shaping related standards and norms, as well as for mitigating risks from malign actors.

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

• Biotechnology is an accelerating domain of global competition, and yet policymakers in Washington have not prioritized this sector in the same way that they have artificial intelligence and semiconductors.
  Market and innovation cooperation drives existing U.S.-ROK partnerships, enhancing biotech development, improving global market access, and addressing security risks collaboratively.
• Data collaboration and regulatory harmonization are two key areas where the U.S. and South Korea can make meaningful progress through collaborative efforts.
• Strategic cooperation on the biomanufacturing supply chain between the U.S. and ROK aligns with both nations’ interests and addresses an urgent need.
• Delays or lack of decisive action in advancing strategic biotech collaboration between the U.S. and allies such as South Korea risks replicating challenges seen in other advanced technology domains, like semiconductors, where significant investments and trade measures were required to regain competitive advantages.

Hyun-Chul Kim is the Director General of R&D and innovation at the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI).

Michelle Rozo is Vice-Chair of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology. The views expressed here are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and positions of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology.