MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON HEALTH AND MEDICAL SCIENCES BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE MINISTRY FOR HEALTH, WELFARE AND FAMILY AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs (MIHWAF) of the Republic of Korea, guided by the willingness to develop fruitful cooperation between their respective countries in the field of health and medical sciences; considering the importance of international cooperation on a number of health issues; and considering that the United States and Korea share strong traditions in biomedical and public health research and have a long history of health collaboration, have reached the following understandings:

SECTION I

The MIHWAF and the HHS, hereinafter referred to as the Participants, intend to enhance and expand cooperative efforts in health and medical sciences according to the following general principles:

    All activities are to be conducted on the basis of equality, reciprocity and mutual benefits.

    The cooperation provided for in this Memorandum does not affect relations currently established between institutions or individuals of the United States of America and the Republic of Korea.  Rather, the Participants intend to strengthen existing collaborations, to attempt to identify new areas for joint activities and to avoid unnecessary duplication.

    Joint activities, where possible, are expected to be coordinated with, or be supportive of, the activities and goals of other international health bodies, including the World Health Organization and the United Nations family of organizations.

SECTION II

The Participants plan to provide for the strengthening and expansion of cooperation across a broad range of mutual interests.  Initial efforts are to be directed at developing joint research, training and collaboration activities addressing shared priorities including:

• Vaccine preventable and other infectious diseases;
• Tuberculosis, especially multi-drug and extensively drug resistant strains;
• Pandemic influenza;
• Chronic diseases;
• Epidemic investigation and surveillance;
• Public health emergencies;
• Gender and global health;
• Environmental and occupational health; and
• Public Health Law and quarantine practices.

Other priorities for cooperation also may be identified from time to time by mutual consent of the Participants.

SECTION III

The methods of cooperation provided for in this Memorandum include, but are not limited to:

• Cooperative scientific programs and research projects,
• Exchanges and training of scientists and delegations,
• Information and technology sharing in support of activities of mutual interest; and
• Meetings and scientific conferences.

The Participants also intend to encourage and facilitate the establishment of direct relationships between appropriate institutions and individuals in the two countries.

SECTION IV

For each area of cooperation as mutual interests are identified, the Participants will identify, or have their designees identify, an appropriate entity to take the lead in overseeing the practical implementation of activities.  The appropriate entities of the two Participants should be responsible for coordinating communications and activities with their counterparts and should be responsible for fulfilling mutually decided responsibilities.  To facilitate these processes, implementing arrangements, agreements, or other instruments may be utilized under the purview of this Memorandum.

SECTION V

All activities undertaken pursuant to this Memorandum are to be conducted in accordance with the laws and regulations of both countries and are subject to the availability of personnel, resources, and appropriated funds.  Steps for implementing this Memorandum are to be developed through joint consultations based on shared priorities following signature of this Memorandum of Understanding.  Nothing in this Memorandum is intended to create legally binding obligations.

SECTION VI

This Memorandum renews the commitments of the Participants as endorsed in a previous Memorandum of Understanding signed on July 22, 2003 and the activities initiated under that Memorandum.  Activities under this Memorandum commence upon signature by both Participants for a period of five years and may be modified by mutual consent of the Participants.

Signed at Washington, DC, in duplicate, this fourteenth day of July 2009, in the English and Korean languages.

Last revised: August 07, 2009