The Korea Foundation for International Healthcare (KOFIH) held a public hearing on August 5, 2026, at Dragon City Hotel in Seoul to gather expert input on the development of its strategic framework for international health cooperation programs.

The hybrid event brought together representatives from government agencies, academia, and the global health and international development cooperation sectors. The hearing was organized to share the key findings of the Study on Developing KOFIH’s Strategic Framework for International Health Cooperation Programs, conducted by a research team from Korea University, and to collect stakeholder feedback on KOFIH’s future strategic direction.

Reflecting the Korean government's Fourth Comprehensive Basic Plan for International Development Cooperation and the national strategy for health ODA, the research team proposed KOFIH’s mid- to long-term strategic direction for 2026–2030. The study analyzed the domestic and international policy environment, the roles of comparable organizations, and KOFIH’s program portfolio and comparative strengths. It also presented a strategic framework comprising a vision, four strategic priorities, a phased implementation plan, and a results management system tailored to the health sector.

The study recommended concentrating resources on areas where KOFIH has a clear comparative advantage based on its expertise in global health. Key recommendations included strengthening the Lee Jong-wook Fellowship as a global health capacity-building platform, expanding integrated country programs through the selection of priority partner countries and flagship initiatives, shifting results management from input- and activity-based approaches to outcome- and sustainability-focused approaches, and establishing a feedback mechanism for program planning and budget allocation using health-specific performance indicators.

Professor Choi Jae-wook of Korea University, who led the study, emphasized the need to expand successful small-scale and short-term initiatives into integrated country programs or flagship projects based on demonstrated results and sustainability. He also noted that emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and digital health should be adopted selectively, taking into account partner countries’ needs, local infrastructure, long-term maintenance capacity, and KOFIH’s technical expertise.

Baek Gwan-baek, Acting President of KOFIH, stated that the public hearing was held to present the proposed strategic direction and recommendations for sustainable international health cooperation and to gather diverse stakeholder perspectives. He added that KOFIH will develop a practical strategy that reflects the Fourth Comprehensive Basic Plan for International Development Cooperation, evolving global health priorities, and the Foundation’s resources and expertise.

KOFIH will review the recommendations presented during the public hearing, together with stakeholder feedback, and incorporate them into its strategic framework for international health cooperation programs.