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Korea Herald
17-07-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
In vitro fertilization nearly doubles in 5 years
Assisted reproductive technology rapidly becoming a new norm in the country with one of the lowest birth rates in the world Embryos produced via in vitro fertilization have surged by 83.2 percent in South Korea over the past five years, according to government data released Thursday, signaling the growing use of assisted reproductive technology in a country grappling with low birth rates. A total of 783,860 embryos were created through IVF in 2024, up from 427,818 in 2019, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare data submitted to Rep. Kim Yoon of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea. The number has been steadily climbing since 2016, when 334,687 embryos were created, and surpassed 500,000 for the first time in 2021. The actual embryo transfer has also increased in recent years, although not as rapidly. Last year, 201,496 embryos were transferred for pregnancy, up 31.9 percent from 152,761 in 2019 and 56.6 percent from 128,672 in 2016. IVF is a procedure to aid pregnancy, where mature eggs are collected and fertilized by sperm in a laboratory setting. The fertilized eggs are transferred to a human body for pregnancy or cryopreserved for future use. As of December 2024, medical institutions across the country were storing 383,520 embryos, along with 133,926 unfertilized eggs and 56,967 vials of semen. However, most fertilized embryos end up being discarded. In 2024 alone, 533,266 embryos were destroyed, more than double the 260,506 discarded in 2019. Embryos may be discarded for various reasons, including being deemed unfit for pregnancy or upon request by the individuals who created them. Frozen embryos can theoretically be stored indefinitely if maintained properly, but most people only store them for up to 10 years. In vitro fertilization becoming more crucial, but controversy remains IVF is becoming an increasingly vital option in South Korea, where the average age of first-time mothers was 32.96 as of 2023. Advanced maternal age is medically defined as 35 or older, which means a substantial number of Korean couples are presumed to have some complications when trying to conceive naturally. Despite the many advantages of assisted pregnancy technology, some ethical questions are not yet covered by the Bioethics and Safety Act. Earlier in July, actor Lee Si-young revealed that she had gotten pregnant via embryo created with her ex-husband, despite his opposition. This is due to a loophole in the law: It mandates a written consent when creating embryos via in vitro fertilization, but has no clause on transferring the already-created embryos to the human body. The incident has touched off controversy about the bioethics of the embryo and in vitro fertilization, which is still a relatively new field in the world and particularly in South Korea. The Bioethics and Safety Act itself, which covers the matters related to embryos, was only enacted in 2004 and came into effect the following year.
Nikkei Asia
28-05-2025
- Business
- Nikkei Asia
South Korea's Samyang weighs Japan acquisitions: chairman
SEOUL -- South Korean food and chemical group Samyang Holdings is looking to acquire Japanese companies primarily in the chip industry, its leader told Nikkei in an interview. "We intend to actively engage in M&As [mergers and acquisitions] with Japanese companies, such as semiconductor material manufacturers," said Samyang Chairman Kim Yoon.
Korea Herald
28-05-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
S. Korean, Japanese biz leaders agree to boost cooperation in AI, chips, CPTPP entry
Business leaders of South Korea and Japan on Wednesday agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence, semiconductors and other key sectors while supporting Seoul's efforts to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The agreement was part of a joint statement adopted during the 57th South Korea-Japan Business Conference held in Seoul, which brought together some 300 business and economic representatives from the two countries for an annual two-day meeting that began Tuesday. "On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties (between Seoul and Tokyo), we reaffirm the trust and friendship built over the years and hope to collaborate for the bright future of South Korea, Japan and the world," the Federation of Korean Industries said in a joint statement. Specific areas of cooperation include carbon neutrality, hydrogen energy, AI and semiconductor industries, as well as the bio and health care sectors. They also agreed to collaborate on addressing social challenges, such as the two countries' low birth rates and aging populations. On South Korea's bid to join the CPTPP, the participants agreed to support preliminary measures by relevant organizations to facilitate the move. The CPTPP is a major Indo-Pacific trade pact comprising 12 countries, including Japan, Australia, Canada, Britain and Vietnam, that together accounted for about 15.2 percent of global trade as of 2019. Business leaders from South Korea and Japan have voiced shared concerns over the United States' growing protectionist stance and the escalating US-China rivalry. In response, they emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries. At a press conference following the release of the joint statement, Kim Yoon, co-chairman of the Korea-Japan Economic Association, said, "Trade pressure from the new US administration and China's rapid technological advancement have emerged as major challenges for both Korea and Japan." There appear to be some views suggesting the two countries consider a joint response to US trade pressure, he added. His Japanese counterpart, Yutaka Aso, vice chairman of the Japan-Korea Economic Association, said, "Korea and Japan are not rivals, but partners who need to build a solid foundation for cooperation," citing a growing sense of urgency in both countries over US President Donald Trump's "America First" policies and the prospect of a more assertive China. Asked if he had a message for South Korea's incoming administration, Aso urged the new government to prioritize Korea-Japan relations and push forward necessary reforms. (Yonhap)
