Business Trip Report - Korea @ Nov-2025 (Trip 1)
posted: 04-Jan-2026 & updated: 04-Jan-2026
Report prepared by Sunghee Yun
Initial draft on 04-Jan-2026
Final Revised on 04-Jan-2026
Trip Overview
Korea • November 5-8, 2025 (3 nights) • Sunghee Yun
Focused 3-night trip for IFEZ x K-BioX ABDD Summit participation in Songdo. During this trip, Sunghee
- delivered AI lecture at IFEZ x K-BioX ABDD Summit
- participated as panelist in high-profile panel discussion on AI landscape, startup culture, and industry-academia collaboration
- secured KMEA (Korean Medical Entrepreneurship Association) consultation session through 윤여빈
- expanded Incheon/Suwon government relations network
- advanced LULUMEDIC partnership discussions with organization leadership
- networked with Johns Hopkins Global Biotechnology Innovation Center
Basic Logistics
Dates - November 5-8, 2025 (3 nights)
Flights
- Outbound - United 805, SFO → ICN (departed Nov 05 @ 11:45pm PST, arrived Nov 07 @ 5:40am KST, 12h 55m)
- Return - United 892, ICN → SFO (departed Nov 08 @ 6pm KST, arrived Nov 08 @ 11:35am PST, 10h 35m)
Base - Suji, Gyeonggi-do
ACTION ITEMS
| Owner | Deliverable | Deadline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunghee Yun | Follow up with 김영웅 (President, Korea Digital Health Industry Association) on LULUMEDIC collaboration | Q1-2026 | In Progress |
| Sunghee Yun | Engage with Nathan Byun (Johns Hopkins Global Biotechnology Innovation Center) for potential US-Korea bridge opportunities | Q1-2026 | Pending |
| Sunghee Yun | Follow up with 장지영 교수 (Rutgers University) on New Jersey biotech ecosystem collaboration | Q1-2026 | Pending |
| Sunghee Yun | Leverage Incheon/Suwon government contacts (김지영, 김성진, 손혜영) for regional collaboration opportunities | Q4-2025 | COMPLETED |
| Sunghee Yun | Connect with Korea University faculty (이종원, 김수지) on research collaboration | Q1-2026 | Pending |
| Sunghee Yun | Follow up with 정일형 (Chong Kun Dang Global Business) on pharmaceutical industry partnership | Q1-2026 | Pending |
| Sunghee Yun | Coordinate KMEA consultation session for Korean Medical Entrepreneurship Association members - arranged by 윤여빈 | Q4-2025 | COMPLETED |
MILESTONES & TIMELINE
Immediate (Nov 2025):
- ✅ IFEZ x K-BioX ABDD Summit AI lecture delivered successfully
- ✅ High-profile panel discussion participation completed
- ✅ LULUMEDIC partnership discussions advanced with leadership
- ✅ KMEA consultation session opportunity secured
Short-term (Q1 2026):
- LULUMEDIC collaboration framework finalized
- Rutgers University collaboration explored
- Johns Hopkins partnership opportunities assessed
- Incheon/Suwon government relations leveraged
- KMEA consultation session delivery
Medium-term (2026):
- Regional government collaborations (Incheon, Suwon) yielding opportunities
- US university partnerships (Rutgers, Johns Hopkins) established
- KMEA member network activated for Erudio Bio
STRATEGIC INSIGHTS
- KMEA Access - Medical Entrepreneurship Network:
- KMEA represents medical entrepreneurs - perfect target audience for Erudio Bio
- Consultation session format allows deep engagement vs one-time presentation
- Medical entrepreneurship community can become early adopters and advocates
- 윤여빈 (KMEA Executive Board Director) arranged consultation session access
- IFEZ/Songdo as Strategic Location:
- Incheon Free Economic Zone provides regulatory advantages
- Proximity to ICN airport enables efficient short trips
- Government actively supporting biotech development (손혜영 from Incheon FEZ)
- Suwon government also present (김지영, 김성진) - expanding regional footprint
- Panel Discussion as Thought Leadership Platform:
- High-visibility format with 장지영 교수 (Rutgers AVP for Global Affairs)
- Moderated by 배정융 (KIC Silicon Valley) - Korean startup ecosystem connector
- Topics covered positioned Sunghee as expert across multiple domains:
- AI landscape (industry, market, technology trends)
- Startup/corporate culture (Korea vs US)
- Founder soft skills
- Talent markets
- Industry-academia collaboration
- Extensive Q&A demonstrates strong audience engagement
- US University East Coast Expansion:
- Rutgers University (New Jersey) - 장지영 교수 connection
- New Jersey biotech/medical cluster represents new geographic opportunity
- Complements West Coast focus (Stanford, etc.)
- Johns Hopkins (Nathan Byun, Global Biotechnology Innovation Center)
- Johns Hopkins medical/biotech reputation provides validation pathway
- Two premier East Coast connections from single event
- LULUMEDIC Partnership Elevation:
- Previous meetings with 김영웅 (CEO)
- Now engaging at association level - 김영웅 is President of Korea Digital Health Industry Association
- 김일범 (CIO & CSO) added to partnership discussions
- Association presidency provides network access beyond single company
- Pharmaceutical Industry Entry Point:
- 정일형 (Director, Global Business, Chong Kun Dang - 종근당)
- Major Korean pharmaceutical company connection
- Global business focus aligns with Erudio Bio’s expansion strategy
- Pharma partnership could accelerate drug discovery applications
- Knowledge Exchange as Continuous Process:
- Late-night session (10pm-12am) with 채관엽 and Jin Young Heo
- Maintaining technical/strategic knowledge exchange pattern
- Regular engagement builds deep mutual understanding
- Three-way discussion (Sunghee, 채관엽, Jin Young) creates shared strategic context
- Academic Network Breadth:
- Korea University - 이종원 (Clinical Assistant Professor, Pathology, Guro Hospital), 김수지 (Assistant Professor, Bioinformatics)
- Incheon National University - 엄효섭 (Innovation Talent Development Center)
- Multiple universities at single event demonstrates broad academic reach
- Diverse specialties (pathology, bioinformatics) match Erudio Bio’s interdisciplinary nature
- Regional Government Diversification:
- Incheon - 손혜영 (Director, Innovation Growth City Division, Incheon Free Economic Zone)
- Suwon - 김지영 (Team Leader, Advanced Industry Promotion Team), 김성진 (Manager)
- Complements existing relationships (Jeonbuk, Daegu)
- Multiple regional governments competing for biotech companies creates negotiating leverage
- Efficient Short-Trip Model:
- 3-night trip (including travel) achieved multiple high-value objectives
- Summit format concentrates networking opportunities
- Demonstrates ability to execute impactful trips without extended stays
- Minimize time away from US operations while maintaining Korea presence
KEY MEETINGS & OUTCOMES
07-Nov-2025 - IFEZ x K-BioX ABDD Summit in Songdo
AI Lecture Presentation
Event
IFEZ x K-BioX ABDD Summit
Location
Songdo, Incheon Free Economic Zone
Title
“AI-Powered Biotech Revolution - From Silicon Valley Innovation to Global Healthcare Transformation” abstract
Invited by
이시연 박사 (K-BioX Representative Operating Committee Member, Stanford Medical School, K-BioX)
Networking Lunch
Key Contact - CRITICAL OUTCOME
윤여빈 (Executive Board Director, Korean Medical Entrepreneurship Association - KMEA)
OUTCOME
윤여빈 arranged consultation session for KMEA members - providing access to medical entrepreneur network
Additional Attendees Met
Multiple biotech/medical entrepreneurs and industry leaders
4pm-6pm - Panel Discussion - HIGH-VISIBILITY THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Role
Panelist
Co-Panelist
장지영 교수 (Assistant Vice President for Global Affairs, Rutgers University)
Moderator
배정융 센터장 (Center Director, KIC Silicon Valley)
Topics Discussed
- AI Landscape - industry, market, entrepreneurship, investment, market fit, technology trends, future predictions
- Corporate/Startup Culture - Korea vs US/Silicon Valley comparison
- Founder Soft Skills - critical capabilities for entrepreneurial success
- Talent Market - Korea vs US dynamics
- Industry-Academia Collaboration - strategies to vitalize partnerships
Rutgers University Introduction
장지영 교수 introduced Rutgers University, emphasizing:
- New Jersey as hub for biotech/medical science companies
- Rutgers as ideal location for bio/medical research
- Collaboration opportunities
Audience Engagement
Extensive Q&A session with numerous questions - strong audience engagement
Strategic Impact
- High-visibility thought leadership platform
- Positioned Sunghee as expert across AI, entrepreneurship, talent, culture
- Rutgers University connection established for East Coast expansion
- KIC Silicon Valley relationship strengthened
Post-Event Networking - Chicken & Beer
Key Contacts Established
Government Relations:
- 김지영 (Team Leader, Advanced Industry Promotion Team, Economic Free Zone Promotion Team, Suwon City Hall)
- 김성진 과장 (Manager, Economic Free Zone Promotion Team, Suwon City Hall)
- 손혜영 (Director, Innovation Growth City Division, Incheon Free Economic Zone)
Academic:
- 엄효섭 (Team Leader, Innovation Talent Development Center, Incheon National University)
- 이종원 (Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, Korea University Guro Hospital)
- 김수지 교수 (Assistant Professor, Sejong Campus / Department of Bioinformatics, Korea University)
Industry:
- 정일형 (Director, Global Business Division, Chong Kun Dang - 종근당)
- 백운주 (Founder / CEO, SAGKOREA)
International:
- Nathan Byun (Program Manager, Global Biotechnology Innovation Center, Johns Hopkins University)
Outcomes
Comprehensive network expansion across government, academia, pharma, and international institutions
10pm-12am - Night - Technical & Strategic Knowledge Exchange
Attendees
- Sunghee Yun
- 채관엽 (Master, S.LSI Digital IP Development Team, Samsung Electronics)
- Jin Young Heo (CLO, Erudio Bio Korea)
Purpose
Continued technical and strategic knowledge exchange session
Outcome
Three-way strategic discussion building shared understanding across technical and business domains
08-Nov-2025 - LULUMEDIC Partnership & Return
9am-11am - Morning - LULUMEDIC Partnership Discussion
Attendees
- Sunghee Yun
- 김영웅 (President, Korea Digital Health Industry Association / CEO, LULUMEDIC)
- 김일범 (Board Director / CIO & CSO, LULUMEDIC)
Purpose
Further discuss potential collaboration between Erudio Bio and LULUMEDIC
Strategic Significance
- Engaging at association presidency level (Korea Digital Health Industry Association)
- CIO & CSO involvement indicates serious partnership consideration
- Expanding beyond CEO-level to organizational collaboration
Afternoon - Return to Silicon Valley
Flight: ICN → SFO
PARTNERSHIP
LULUMEDIC & Korea Digital Health Industry Association
Contacts
- 김영웅 (President, Korea Digital Health Industry Association / CEO, LULUMEDIC)
- 김일범 (Board Director / CIO & CSO, LULUMEDIC)
Status - Partnership discussions advanced, formalizing
Rutgers University (New Jersey)
Contact - 장지영 교수 (Assistant Vice President for Global Affairs)
Opportunity - New Jersey biotech cluster collaboration
Status - Initial connection, follow-up needed
Johns Hopkins University
Contact - Nathan Byun (Program Manager, Global Biotechnology Innovation Center)
Opportunity - US-Korea biotech bridge, Johns Hopkins validation
Status - Initial connection, follow-up needed
Chong Kun Dang (종근당) - Pharmaceutical
Contact - 정일형 (Director, Global Business Division)
Opportunity - Major pharma partnership for drug discovery applications
Status - Initial connection, follow-up needed
KMEA (Korean Medical Entrepreneurship Association)
Contact - 윤여빈 (Executive Board Director, KMEA)
Opportunity - Consultation session for KMEA members
Status - Arranged, scheduling in Q1-2026
NETWORKING
K-BioX Network
Contact - 이시연 박사 (K-BioX Representative Operating Committee Member, Stanford Medical School)
Role - Summit organizer, Silicon Valley-Korea biotech bridge
KIC Silicon Valley
Contact - 배정융 센터장 (Center Director)
Role - Panel moderator, Korean startup ecosystem connector
Incheon Free Economic Zone Government
Contact - 손혜영 (Director, Innovation Growth City Division)
Potential - IFEZ regulatory advantages, government support for biotech
Suwon City Government
Contacts
- 김지영 (Team Leader, Advanced Industry Promotion)
- 김성진 과장 (Manager, Economic Free Zone Promotion)
Potential - Regional government support, expanding beyond Jeonbuk/Daegu
Korea University Faculty Network
Contacts
- 이종원 (Clinical Assistant Professor, Pathology, Guro Hospital)
- 김수지 교수 (Assistant Professor, Bioinformatics)
Focus - Clinical pathology and bioinformatics research collaboration
Incheon National University
Contact - 엄효섭 (Team Leader, Innovation Talent Development Center)
Focus - Innovation talent development, potential collaboration
SAGKOREA
Contact - 백운주 (Founder / CEO)
Purpose - General networking, biotech ecosystem