SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korea plans to set up a five-year plan to better protect itself from possible biological terrorist attacks, the country's public health and safety agency said Monday.

   The 2013-2017 plan calls for extensive research and development (R&D) to create vaccines and antidotes, quick detection and precise diagnosis of harmful agents, and the collection of related information through international cooperation, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said.
It said that the plan calls for utilizing the latest nano-biotech and advanced convergence technologies to effectively cope with threats, and stockpile vaccines and drugs.

   As part of the countermeasure initiative, the KCDC plans to authorize clinical tests on anthrax so drugs can be developed locally by 2013.

   In addition, Seoul said it wants to enhance nationwide monitoring for harmful agents by developing advanced detection kits.

   The public health agency said that it will continuously receive input from experts in the field and push forward necessary R&D to protect the country and people from potential biological attacks.

   yonngong@yna.co.kr
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