Business Trip Report - Korea @ Aug-2025
posted: 31-Dec-2025 & updated: 04-Jan-2026
Report prepared by Sunghee Yun
Initial draft on 31-Dec-2025
Final Revised on 04-Jan-2026
Trip Overview
Korea • August 6-20, 2025 • Sunghee Yun
Historic 14-night trip marking the official launch of Erudio Bio Korea, Inc. with Jin Young Heo as CLO. During this trip, Sunghee
- secured critical SNUBH joint development partnership
- opened corporate bank account in Jeonbuk
- advanced Special R&D Zone application
- secured USD 140k angel investment.
Basic Logistics
Dates - August 6-20, 2025 (14 nights)
Flights
- Outbound - United 893, SFO → ICN (departed Aug 6 @ 10:40am PDT, arrived Aug 7 @ 3:00pm KST)
- Return - United 892, ICN → SFO (departed Aug 20 @ 4:42pm KST, arrived Aug 20 @ 12:04pm PDT)
Base - Garak-dong, Seoul
Regional Trips
- Aug 8 - Day trip to Jeonbuk & Daejeon
- KTX 451: Gwangmyeong Station → Iksan Station (7:55am → 8:53am)
- SRT 370: Daejeon Station → Gwangmyeong Station (6:25pm → 7:13pm)
- Aug 12-13 - Overnight trip to Pohang (via Gyeongju)
- SRT 321: Suseo Station → Gyeongju Station (9:20am → 11:26am)
- SRT 370: Gyeongju Station → Suseo Station (9:05pm → 11:12pm)
- Aug 19 - Day trip to Iksan
- SRT 607: Suseo Station → Iksan Station (10:35am → 12:02pm)
- SRT 614: Iksan Station → Suseo Station (4:15pm → 5:36pm)
ACTION ITEMS
| Owner | Deliverable | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jin Young Heo | Finalize Jeonbuk Special R&D Zone application documents | Sep-2025 | In Progress |
| Sunghee Yun / Jin Young Heo | Schedule & conduct SNUBH remote video meeting | Week of 25-Aug-2025 | Scheduled |
| Sunghee Yun / Jin Young Heo | Coordinate with BSR Korea on government grant applications (post-Special Zone designation) | Ongoing | Pending designation |
| Sunghee Yun / Ghayougn Lee | Formalize SNUBH joint development agreement terms | Sep-2025 | In Progress |
| Sunghee Yun | Follow up with POSTECH faculty on collaboration/advisory roles | Sep-2025 | Pending |
MILESTONES & TIMELINE
Immediate (Aug-Sep 2025):
- ✅ Erudio Bio Korea, Inc. operational with Jin Young Heo as CLO
- ✅ Jeonbuk corporate bank account opened
- ✅ USD 140k angel investment secured
- 🔄 SNUBH partnership terms finalized
- 🔄 Jeonbuk Special R&D Zone application submitted
Short-term (Q4 2025):
- Jeonbuk Special R&D Zone designation decision
- SNUBH joint development project kickoff using residual specimens
- Government grant applications via BSR Korea (contingent on designation)
Medium-term (2026):
- Clinical data generation from SNUBH collaboration
- Productization and commercialization strategy refinement based on Jeonbuk officials’ feedback
STRATEGIC INSIGHTS
-
Speed to Market: Using SNUBH facilities and residual specimens eliminates 6+ months of setup time and regulatory complexity
-
Government Support: Jeonbuk Special R&D Zone designation unlocks significant grant funding, but requires strong commercialization narrative (not just R&D story)
-
Partnership Model: SNUBH’s willingness to provide facilities demonstrates strong institutional commitment beyond typical collaboration
-
Capital Efficiency: USD 140k angel investment + potential government grants positions Korea entity for aggressive execution without heavy US dilution
-
Organizational Structure: Jin Young Heo as CLO/BD Manager provides critical local expertise for navigating Korean regulatory and government landscape
KEY MEETINGS & OUTCOMES
07-Aug-2025 - Erudio Bio Korea Strategic Launch
Attendees
- Sunghee Yun
- Jin Young Heo (newly appointed CLO & BD Manager)
Core Messages
- First face-to-face strategic meeting since founding Erudio Bio Korea, Inc.
- Drafted application documents for Jeonbuk Special R&D Zone designation
- Planned Jeonbuk government engagement strategy
Purpose
Formalize Korea entity operations and government relations roadmap
08-Aug-2025 - Jeonbuk Special R&D Zone Officials Meeting
Location - Jeonbuk Special R&D Zone
Attendees
- Erudio Bio
- Sunghee Yun
- Jin Young Heo
- BSR Korea
- Seungrak Baek (CEO)
- Yujin Kim (Manager)
- Government Officials
- Minseong Kang (Center Director, Jeonbuk Mutual Cooperation Research Center, National Institute of Toxicological Research)
- Jihong Yoon (Team Leader, Technology Commercialization Team, Jeonbuk R&D Special Zone HQ)
- Jonghak Won (Technology Commercialization Specialist, Jeonbuk R&D Special Zone HQ)
Core Messages
- Introduced Erudio Bio’s VSA platform and bioTCAD vision to government stakeholders
- Officials emphasized need for clear commercialization and sales strategy post-productization
Discussion
Pathway to Jeonbuk Special Zone designation and available government support programs
Follow-up
BSR Korea office visit - presented AI seminar to employees, discussed government grant opportunities contingent on Special Zone selection
18-Aug-2025 - SNUBH Joint Development Partnership
Location - Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH)
Attendees
- Erudio Bio
- Sunghee Yun
- Jin Young Heo
- SNUBH
- Dr. Kiheon Lee (Professor, Family Medicine; Health Promotion Center Director)
- Dr. Kyunghoon Lee (Laboratory Medicine)
- Dr. Huikyung Han (Family Medicine)
CRITICAL DECISIONS MADE
- Facilities - Erudio Bio will use SNUBH facilities directly (eliminates need to rent separate office/lab)
- Specimens - Use residual specimens (잔역검체) - no patient consent required, accelerates timeline
- Next Steps - Remote video meeting scheduled for following week (week of Aug 25)
Strategic Impact
Major cost savings, faster execution, simplified regulatory pathway
19-Aug-2025 - SNUBH Results Discussion - Internal
Time - 9:15am
Attendees
- Kee-hyun Paik
- Jin Young Heo
- Sunghee Yun
- Ghayoung Lee
Purpose
Align leadership on SNUBH partnership terms and execution plan
19-Aug-2025 - Opening Corporate Banking @ Jeonbuk
Action
Opened corporate bank account for Erudio Bio Korea, Inc. in Jeonbuk
Strategic Rationale
Establishes local presence for Special R&D Zone application
14-Aug-2025 - Internal HR Decision
Attendees
- Sunghee Yun
- Jin Young Heo
- Taeyoung Park (candidate)
Decision
After dinner discussion, Sunghee Yun and Jin Young Heo decided not to extend offer to Taeyoung Park for Erudio Bio Korea role.
FUNDRAISING
15-Aug-2025 - Secure angel investment
Outcome
USD 140k investment secured
PARTNERSHIP
20-Aug-2025 - D.Notitia Partnership Discussion
Attendee
- Erudio Bio
- Sunghee Yun
- D.Notitia
- Junhyuk Son (COO/VP/Co-Founder)
Purpose: Explored potential partnership opportunities
NETWORKING
13-Aug-2025 - POSTECH Networking Dinner
Attendees
- Sunghee Yun
- Prof. Yongjun Kim (Electrical Engineering, POSTECH)
- Prof. Namyoon Lee (Electrical Engineering, POSTECH)
- Prof. Gunsoo Yoon (Nuclear Engineering/Physics, POSTECH)
- Prof. Yunhak Baek (Yeungnam University)
Purpose
Explored collaboration and advisory opportunities with POSTECH faculty