President Roh joined officials and scientists in breaking ground for a bioengineering research center in Chungwon, North Chungchung Province.

In a speech at the ground breaking ceremony for the Osong Bioengineering Research Complex, the president promised to give full support to develop bioengineering as a next generation "growth engine industry," calling it the "fourth wave."

Roh said the government is aiming to develop the research center into a world class research institute with the aim of making the nation the world's seventh bioengineering power by 2012. He also announced a plan to boost South Korea's share in the global bioengineering market tenfold from the current one point three percent.