Korean Medicine

Policies

Governmental policies for the
promotion of Korean Medicine

Safe use of traditional medicine and complementary and
alternative medicine and securing a new market

Background of the planning

Demand for Traditional Medicine (TM) and Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has steadily
increased due to the search for medical alternatives with lower cost, and increased interest in healthy life.

  • Global CAM market shows the annual growth rate of 5.98% on average and is expected to expand from
    $114,180,000,000 (2015) to $154,274,000,000 (2020).

The World Health Organization (WHO), the United States, and China promote TM and CAM with two goals:
ensuring the provision of safe services for the public and securing a new market.

  • WHO provided guidelines for systematic management and development of TM through Traditional Medicine 
    Strategy 2014-2023. (WHO, 2014)
  • The United States and China continues to establish a five-year development plan for CAM and traditional Chinese
    medicine, respectively.
Legislation of 「Act on the Promotion of Korean Medicine and Pharmaceuticals」and Establishment」 Progress of Comprehensive Plan for Promotion and Development of Traditional Korean Medicine

The legislation of the 「Act on the Promotion of Korean Medicine and Pharmaceuticals」
in 2003 has encouraged advances in Korean Pharmaceutical.

The 「Comprehensive Plan for Promotion and Development of Traditional Korean Medicine」
has been newly established and proceeded every five years.

  • Minister of Health and Welfare set a new comprehensive plan for the promotion and development of
    Korean Medicine every five years after the consultation with relevant agencies.
  • The 1st wave of 「Comprehensive Plan for Promotion and Development of Traditional Korean Medicine」
    was set in 2006 to be applied from 2006 to 2010.
  • The 2nd wave of 「Comprehensive Plan for Promotion and Development of Traditional Korean Medicine」
    was set in 2011 to be applied from 2011 to 2015.
  • The 3rd wave of 「Comprehensive Plan for Promotion and Development of Traditional Korean Medicine」
    was set in 2016 to be applied from 2016 to 2020.

Major Policies for the Promotion
of Korean Medicine

  • 1951

    Introduction of the License system 
    for Korean Medicine practitioners

  • 1993

    Establishment of the Office on traditional
    Korean Medical Practices under
    the Ministry of Health and Welfare

  • 1994

    Introduction of the License system for Korean
    Medicine pharmacists

  • 1997

    Introduction of the Standardization system of
    herbal materials

  • 1998

    Decision to allocate public health Korean
    Medicine doctors
    Installation of Herbal Medicine Evaluation 
    Department under the Ministry of Food
    and Drug Safety

  • 1999

    Establishment of Certificate system for Korean
    Medicine specialists in eight recognized
    areas of specialization

  • 2003

    Enactment of the Act on the Promotion of Korean
    Medicine and Pharmaceuticals

  • 2005

    ntroduction of the Traditional Korean Medical Public
    Health HUB Program to support public health centers
    Enforcement of Real-name Basis Distribution of Korean Medical Herbs
    Foundation of the Institute of Korean Medicine
    Education and Evaluation (IKMEE)

  • 2006

    The 1st wave of Comprehensive Plan for Promotion
    and Development of Traditional Korean Medicine
    (2006-2010)

  • 2007

    Obligating the use of standardized product

  • 2008

    Establishment of the Professional Graduate
    School of Korean Medicine in Pusan National
    University

  • 2011

    The 2nd wave of Comprehensive Plan for Promotion
    and Development of Traditional Korean Medicine
    (2011-2015)

  • 2016

    The 3rd wave of Comprehensive Plan for Promotion
    and Development of Traditional Korean Medicine
    (2016-2020)