[Press Release] Plan Ocean Signs MOU with Konkuk University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Hospital

Business agreement ceremony held at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University on March 22nd. From left to right: In-soo Choi, Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Konkuk University, Young-ran Lee, CEO of Plan Ocean, Heon-young Yoon, Director of Konkuk University Animal Hospital

On March 22nd, the non-profit corporation Plan Ocean (Young-ran Lee, CEO), College of Veterinary Medicine at Konkuk University (In-soo Choi, Dean), and Konkuk University Animal Hospital (Heon-young Yoon, Director) signed a memorandum of understanding for marine animal research at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University.

This agreement is aimed at expanding veterinary research in the field of marine environmental conservation through the enlargement of research on marine mammals and the training of experts. The three institutions plan to conduct activities such as imaging diagnosis and pathological examination to analyze the causes of mortality in marine mammals, as well as provide education for veterinary students and graduate students.

Plan Ocean's CEO, Young-ran Lee (veterinarian), has been conducting necropsies on stranded cetaceans at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University since 2021. Alongside researching the causes of mortality of stranded cetaceans, she has been providing education in marine biology conservation theory and practice to the CVM students who participated in the necropsies. This agreement has been signed to continue such collaboration and foster mutual development between the respective institutions.

Konkuk University's College of Veterinary Medicine expressed pleasure in being able to provide students with lectures on various topics, including marine animals. They stated, 'We are pleased to contribute to the development of research in the field of marine animal studies, as there is a lack of related research in South Korea, despite the growing emphasis on marine ecosystem from a One Health perspective. Konkuk University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Hospital can play a significant role in advancing research in the field of marine animal studies.’

Plan Ocean's CEO, Young-ran Lee, stated, 'Through collaboration with Konkuk University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Hospital, we will strengthen the capabilities of each institution and expand veterinary research in marine environmental conservation. We look forward to the expanded role of veterinarians in diagnosing the health of marine ecosystems and the enlargement of research in the field of marine mammal studies.'

Meanwhile, Plan Ocean is a nonprofit corporation established in March 2023. As a corporation under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, it engages in marine conservation activities aimed at preserving marine biodiversity and expanding sustainable fisheries.