South Korea to Launch Brain-Link BCI Project Group in 2027

A 29.5 billion won program

The group will manage a new government program worth 29.5 billion won in total. It covers design and demonstration of finished BCI products, development of AI models for brain signals, construction of a precision brain map, and a preclinical support center specialized for the brain industry. It will also draft a BCI regulatory rationalization roadmap and support clinical trials and new health technology assessments for finished products.

Modeled on the National New Drug Development Foundation, it will bring together the ministries involved in R&D, clinical work and regulation. Cho Il-joo, a Korea University medical professor who leads the BCI field of the government's K-Moonshot project, will head the group. A ministry official said holding both roles would improve decision-making and efficiency. The design draws on the US "BRAIN Initiative" launched in 2013.

Catching up with rivals

Korea trails other major countries in commercialization. China's Neuracle, a startup, won approval from the country's drug regulator in March for its invasive BCI system "Neo," which became the world's first commercial BCI product. In the US, Motif Neurotech received FDA approval in June for human trials of a wireless brain implant for treatment-resistant depression, and Science Corporation launched its "Prima" wireless retinal implant in Europe in July.

In Korea, Wybrain co-chairs a separate public-private body, the BCI Alliance. It already sells non-invasive head-worn devices for depression and sleep disorders, while its invasive implant is in clinical procedures. The company said it plans commercialization in step with the government schedule, through research BCI platforms, closed-loop BCI medical devices and invasive BCI clinical collaboration.