On March 26, Jenny Harries, CEO of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), visited the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) to discuss ROK-UK cooperation on key issues in health.

This was the first visit since the MOU was signed between the KDCA and the UKHSA in May 2022. Delegations from the UK included Scientific Advisor Professor Tracey Thornley, Head of Global Strategy Gemma Lien, and Private Secretary to the Chief Executive of UKHSA Themis Loizou.

During the high-level policy dialogue, the two agencies introduced status on 1) data analysis, surveillance system, and modeling, 2) anti-microbial resistance management policy, 3) climate change and health policy, 4) safety management of high-risk pathogen and biosafety facilities, and discussed future collaborations.

Dr. Youngmee Jee, the Commissioner of the KDCA, emphasized that strengthening health security is a global concern. She also expressed her anticipation of further engaging with the UKHSA and sharing best practices in the future. Dr. Jenny Harries also highlighted that KDCA-UKHSA cooperation benefits the two countries and builds resilience to global health threats. She also mentioned further expanding and deepening the technical collaboration in disease control and prevention, particularly in vaccine development and diagnostic innovation.

The KDCA and the UKHSA will continue strengthening the foundation of ROK-UK cooperation on global health security through information sharing, including sharing best practices.