- Recognized for advancing the local bioindustry and fostering skilled talent

▲ Min Cho, Director of PCMO 

Min Cho, Director of PCMO (Public CDMO for Microbial-Based Vaccine), received the Hwasun County Award in the Community Development category at the 45th Hwasun County Day celebration on October 16, in recognition of contributions to the development of Hwasun’s bioindustry and the growth of the local community.

Over the past nine years, Director Cho has led PCMO in establishing and operating key biopharmaceutical production and demonstration facilities, which serve as core infrastructure for the Hwasun Vaccine Industry Special Zone. By providing companies with the support they need throughout the drug development and manufacturing process, he has helped lay the foundation for Hwasun’s growth into a major hub for the biopharmaceutical industry.

In particular, during the COVID-19 pandemic, PCMO leveraged its capabilities to support vaccine development and contribute to the response to the infectious disease crisis. These efforts helped raise the profile of Hwasun’s biopharmaceutical development and manufacturing capabilities and demonstrated the important role the local bioindustry can play in the national infectious disease response system.

Expanding educational infrastructure to foster skilled professionals in the bioindustry has also been one of PCMO’s key achievements. In 2025, PCMO completed the construction of its education center, creating an environment for training professionals equipped with practical skills in manufacturing, quality control, and other areas essential to the industry.

This award recognizes the contributions of PCMO, under the leadership of Director Min Cho, to the growth of the local bioindustry and to Hwasun’s continued development as a leading center for the bioindustry.