Seoul National University has announced that it has been finally designated as a specialized human resource development environmental health center by the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment. This designation is part of the ministry's initiative to strengthen the prevention and management system for environmental diseases and reinforce the educational framework. The university, recognized for its outstanding educational infrastructure and expertise, will play a critical role in supporting national environmental health policies with a funding of 1 billion won over the next five years.

The center, led by Professor Choi Jin-hee, aims to implement programs that cultivate professionals skilled in both theory and practical capabilities related to environmental health, targeting university students and graduate students. The center also plans to conduct education focused on environmental toxicity and health for the general public and youth, collaborating closely with institutions like the Seoul City Science Center to enhance public understanding of environmental health and foster social consensus.

To boost the practical execution of the project, the center has established a governance structure in partnership with specialized organizations such as the Environmental Toxicology Association and the National Institute of Toxicological Research. It is set to develop essential and specialized theoretical educational courses while introducing an 'AI-Environmental Toxicity Convergence Education' program to enhance data-driven toxicity prediction and risk assessment capabilities. The goal is to alleviate workforce supply and demand imbalances in the field of environmental health and promote greater interaction within the community of domestic environmental health specialists.