South Korea, China and Japan agree to harness AI in health cooperation

South Korea, China and Japan have agreed to step up cooperation on healthcare, using AI and digital technologies to improve access to medical services and support mental health initiatives.

The agreement was reached during the 18th Tripartite Health Ministers’ Meeting in Seoul on Friday and Saturday, officials said. South Korea’s Health Minister Jeong Eun‑kyeong, Japan’s Kenichiro Ueno, and Feng Yong, director-general for international cooperation at China’s National Health Commission, jointly adopted a statement outlining their plans.

The ministers pledged to enhance equity and accessibility in essential healthcare services through AI and digital tools, while sharing best practices tailored to each nation’s healthcare infrastructure. They also emphasised supporting medical and care services throughout life, addressing challenges posed by aging populations.

Mental health received special attention. The three countries agreed to prioritise age-specific suicide prevention, early identification of high-risk groups, and timely intervention systems, noting its significant impact on overall quality of life.

The meeting underscores a growing regional focus on leveraging AI and digital technologies to strengthen public health systems, a trend expected to accelerate in East Asia in the coming years.