Traveling to South Korea: Where Tradition Meets Innovation

From October 21 to 25, 2024, Julien Antih and Professor Claire Vigor, researchers at the Pharmacognosy Phyto-Aromatherapy Laboratory, were invited by the Korean Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) in South Korea. This trip allowed them to discover how traditional Korean medicine combines with modern scientific innovations.

The program included iconic visits, such as the medicinal herb market and a traditional medicine hospital in Seoul, where tradition and modern practices intertwine to serve patients. In Daejeon, researchers discovered KIOM facilities that illustrate how traditional Korean medicine is evolving toward modern applications.

A meeting with the scientific attaché at the French Embassy also provided an opportunity to explore possible support for collaborative projects between the two countries. During a stop in Naju, discussions with local teams enabled knowledge to be shared and inspiration to be drawn for the creation of a plant identification unit at the Montpellier Herbarium.

The trip ended with a traditional Korean dinner, reflecting a successful cultural immersion. This trip opens up new perspectives for research into traditional pharmacopoeias in Montpellier, combining tradition and modernity.