The 8th Busan Veterinary Conference (BVC) was held on June 28–29, 2025, at BEXCO in Busan, South Korea. Busan is the second-largest city in Korea and has a significant geographical advantage as a coastal city, making it well-suited for global activities that represent the Asia Pacific market. This event brought together Veterinary professionals, researchers, and students from across Asia and beyond, solidifying its status as a premier platform for Veterinary education and collaboration.
I had a great few days exploring Seoul and Busan, learning about their Veterinary industry and touring the Seoul National University College of Veterinary Medicine – the only AVMA-accredited university in Asia. For those new to the Asian market, my key insight is the surge in cat ownership in South Korea, which has increased by 14%, reflecting a global trend.
While Veterinary care costs are on the rise, they have not experienced the petflation we have seen in the US, nor do they have a Veterinary shortage. The landscape here differs, with no group practices and fewer specialty centers (corporate ownership is restricted), and a notably higher number of MRI facilities in primary care settings.
It was interesting to see more dog strollers than baby strollers, as South Korea experiences a rise in pet ownership and humanization of pets. Pet parents are investing in preventive healthcare, diagnostics, surgery, and wellness services.
Global Engagement
The conference featured a diverse array of lectures, workshops, and panel discussions led by renowned experts in Veterinary medicine.
It was a privilege to co-present with Henry Yoo, DVM, MSc, MBA, on “A Global Vision of the Veterinary Profession & Industry”, where we explored the trends, challenges, and innovations reshaping the Veterinary industry around the world. Henry Yoo, DVM, MSc, MBA, and Dean Rustin Moore, DVM, delivered lectures to members of the International Veterinary Students Association (ISVA) and the broader Veterinary community. The highlight for me was a panel discussion on Industry Trends featuring Dr. Yoo, Dr. Moore, Gene O’Neill, Ryan Gruzen from Pet Portal AI, and me.
Discussions about the surging pet ownership and the humanization of pets in South Korea were held in various sessions. In addition, South Korea is actively investing in digital bio strategies through the Presidential Bio Committee (launched in January 2025), emphasizing AI‑driven biotech, synthetic biology, and data‑driven healthcare, creating synergies for Veterinary R&D and diagnostics.
Other trends include: the growth of cats as pets, animal health and Veterinary hospital market growth, the increasing use of advanced medical devices and early adoption of high-end Veterinary devices, integration of smart features in equipment, expansion of digital health and telemedicine services, and the emerging use of AI applications in livestock disease detection and behavior recognition.
I’m told this conference marked the first time industry professionals took the stage, drawing a great turnout. Vendor partners that provided insight into the market’s direction included MyBrown (EMR/PIMS integration), Meritz (pet insurance), Pitter Petter (DNA testing), and several stem cell and exosome therapy companies.
International Collaboration
Veterinary students from around the world gathered in Busan as members of the International Veterinary Students’ Association! It was terrific to meet and chat with the future of our profession from around the globe.
The Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE®) at Seoul National University’s College of Veterinary Medicine was introduced. The initiative aims to provide Korean Veterinary students with the opportunity to qualify for the U.S. Veterinary licensure examination, marking a step toward international accreditation and mobility.
One of the strengths of the Busan conference is tied to the reputation of Elite Veterinary Technology practiced in Asia, based on the scientific and technological advantages that Seoul National University (SNU) created. SNU has a plan to recruit Veterinary students from the USA for its DVM program and return them to the USA (which also helps to resolve the DVM shortage). PAVE is also a part of SNU’s plans to support AAVSB.
Under the leadership of President Lee Young-rak (Young Rak Lee), the Busan Veterinary Conference is striving to position Busan as a central hub for Veterinary science in Asia. Efforts include partnerships with global institutions and the establishment of a dedicated training center to enhance practical Veterinary education. Over 2,000 Veterinary professionals attended, and for startups and established businesses, the prospects in this region appear promising. We were honored to meet with the Mayor of Busan Park Heong-joon in the mayor’s office. Our US delegate thanked the mayor for supporting the Busan Veterinary Conference and encouraged him to expand that support in the future.
In addition to all things Veterinary, a wonderful Korean tradition known as 화환 (hwahwan) serves as a symbol of congratulations, support, and solidarity. It’s often sent by provincial Veterinary medical associations, individual Veterinary leaders or practices, and corporate sponsors.