Professor Koo Seung-wook of Yonsei University College of Medicine, affiliated with Gangnam Severance Hospital’s Department of Neurosurgery, has been named the civilian chair of the Medical Device Committee at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. His two-year term will conclude on June 28, 2028.
Gangnam Severance Hospital reported on Monday that the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety held an appointment ceremony on August 21 at the Seoul Regional Office of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The event was attended by Director Oh Yu-gyeong and other officials.
The Medical Device Committee, established under the Medical Device Act, is an official government body that reviews and advises on key issues related to medical device safety, performance, standards, and policies.
The committee addresses critical matters directly impacting healthcare, including the establishment and revision of medical device standards, safety reassessments, and policy formulation. It responds to consultations from both the Minister of Food and Drug Safety and the Minister of Health and Welfare.
The committee’s leadership is shared between the Deputy Minister of Food and Drug Safety and a civilian member, who jointly oversee operations for a two-year term.
Over 200 experts comprise the committee, bringing extensive knowledge and field experience from various sectors of the medical device industry. Members include officials from relevant ministries, as well as professionals from academia, research institutions, and the private sector.
Professor Koo’s distinguished career includes serving as the 15th president of Gangnam Severance Hospital. He has also held key positions such as Director of External Cooperation at Yonsei Medical Center, Vice Dean of the College of Medicine, and head of research at the medical school.
His clinical expertise focuses on the treatment of spinal and spinal nerve tumors, as well as cervical, lumbar, and thoracic stenosis and disc disorders.
This year, Professor Koo assumed the presidency of the Korean Society of Biomedical Engineering. In this role, he is spearheading initiatives to foster a collaborative research ecosystem among industry, academia, and research institutions, while bolstering the competitiveness of South Korea’s medical device industry.
Upon his appointment, Professor Koo stated that he’s committed to ensuring that diverse perspectives from various sectors are balanced in shaping policies and regulatory improvements.