Naver pledges research funds for burgeoning digital health industry

Naver will donate 30 billion won ($23.8 million) to Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) over three years to support research in the digital health industry.

Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon, left, and Seoul National University Hospital President Kim Young-tae pose for a photo after a donation ceremony at the hospital in Jung District, central Seoul, on Tuesday. Naver will donate 30 billion won to the hospital to support its research in digital health. [NAVER]

Naver will donate 30 billion won ($23.8 million) to Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) over three years to support research in the digital health industry.

The donation marks the largest single sum of research funding the hospital has received, it said on Tuesday.

The proceeds will support developments in the emerging field of digital health, enabling further medical research alongside training physician-scientists.

“Digital transformation in the medical field will be globally accelerated with the advent of large-scale artificial intelligence [AI],” said Naver CEO Choi Soo-yeon. “I felt a need to foster physician-scientist talent and to take a lead in convergence research. SNUH has the best human resources and research infrastructure in the country, and we anticipate world-class research results and to contribute to the industry’s development through continuous support and exchange.”

SNUH President Kim Young-tae promised to contribute to enhancements in the field of digital health with Naver’s donation.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]