Bill Gates visited Seoul this week to meet President Lee Jae Myung and discuss global health cooperation. The Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist emphasized South Korea’s growing biotechnology strength and urged the country to expand its vaccine role.
The meeting underscored how South Korea could contribute to vaccine development and distribution in developing nations. Gates praised the country’s manufacturing capacity and research capabilities. He also highlighted how Korean companies helped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gates specifically noted the International Vaccine Institute, SK Bioscience, LG Chem, and EuBiologics as leaders in this sector. He said Korean bioscience products reached an extraordinary level. According to the presidential office, he spoke in Korean while delivering his praise.
President Lee acknowledged Gates’ work in shifting from building a technology empire to focusing on public goods. He pledged to explore ways the Korean government can cooperate for humanity’s benefit. Lee also noted the country’s willingness to contribute to vaccine innovation.
Gates linked South Korea’s innovation to his foundation’s mission of reducing child mortality. He explained that child deaths had fallen from ten million annually in 2000 to below five million today. His goal is to cut the figure to under two million within two decades.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which marked its 25th anniversary this year, pledged to spend its $200 billion endowment within 20 years. Gates confirmed that global health remains central to the foundation’s mission.
He also raised concerns about artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. He warned these tools could increase health care costs and deepen inequality in poorer countries. Gates stressed the importance of international cooperation to address these risks.
In response, Lee suggested that small modular nuclear reactors could support rising power demands in AI and semiconductor industries. Gates founded TerraPower, a developer of such reactors, making this discussion especially relevant.
During his two-day visit, Gates also met Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. He planned to address lawmakers at the National Assembly and appear on a local television program. His visit highlighted both opportunity and responsibility for South Korea in shaping the future of global health.
