Donate health and genetic data, get 50,000 won — government aims to build 1 million-person biobank

People who are not enrolled in the national health checkup program will now be able to contribute their health and genetic data to the government's biotech big data initiative.

Members of the general public can join the project by completing a research screening process and will receive 50,000 won ($37) in compensation. The government plans to collect biodata from about 1 million people and use it to develop medical AI for disease prediction and diagnosis, as well as for drug development and personalized precision medicine.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced Thursday that they are expanding eligibility for the National Integrated Bio Big Data Construction Project. Previously, recruitment focused on those already enrolled in the national health checkup program, but going forward, anyone who completes the required research screening process may participate.

The move is intended to broaden the pool of biodata contributors beyond health checkup recipients and to give more people the opportunity to take part. General participants will receive 50,000 won in compensation after completing the research enrollment process.

The National Integrated Bio Big Data Construction Project is a large-scale government research and development initiative aimed at predicting and diagnosing diseases to which Koreans are particularly vulnerable and delivering precision medicine tailored to individual characteristics. The government is targeting 1 million participants by 2032, collecting health and genetic data donated by individuals to serve as a core resource for building a sovereign Korean medical AI system, developing innovative new drugs and advanced medical devices, and realizing personalized precision medicine.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare, which oversees the project, held a biodata donation ceremony Thursday at Yonsei University's Severance Hospital in Sinchon to publicize the expanded eligibility criteria and encourage public participation.

About 40 people donated biological samples at the event, including Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong, Ha Jung-woo, vice chairman of the National AI Strategy Committee, committee members, Korea Health Industry Development Institute President Ko Sang-baek, and officials from Severance Hospital.

"The National Integrated Bio Big Data is a public asset completed through the participation of each and every citizen," Jeong said, urging people to join. "Starting with the first data release in November, we will work to ensure the data is used safely and broadly so that the fruits of medical innovation can be returned to the public."