In the 1980s, when infertility was still a largely unfamiliar concept in Korea, Dr. Kwangyul Cha devoted himself to infertility research and pioneered a series of groundbreaking achievements that shaped the history of reproductive medicine in Korea. Beginning with the birth of the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) baby at a private hospital in Korea in 1986, he went on to achieve the world's first successful pregnancy through in vitro maturation of immature oocytes in 1988, Asia's first successful intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in 1993, the development of the world's first rapid oocyte freezing technology in 1998, and the establishment of the world's first egg bank in 1999. Through these achievements, he wrote the history of reproductive medicine in Korea.

In particular, rapid oocyte freezing technology and egg banking have become global standards, helping countless women preserve their reproductive potential at a time when declining birth rates have emerged as a serious social challenge worldwide. In 1999, he established an infertility center at Columbia University in the United States, introducing the excellence of Korean medical technology and reproductive medicine to the global stage. The technologies he developed through countless sleepless nights of research have earned more than 13 awards from prestigious international academic societies, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE). He has delivered more than 220 invited lectures and has been featured by major international media outlets, including TIME magazine and the BBC. In 2013, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) established the “KY Cha Award in Stem Cell Research,” named in his honor—the first such award named after an Asian scientist. Now in its 13th year, the award has recognized 14 leading medical scientists from around the world.

• 1986

  Birth of the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) baby
  at a private hospital in Korea

• 1988

  The world's first successful pregnancy through
  in vitro maturation of immature oocytes

• 1993

  Asia's first successful
  intracytoplasmic sperm injection
  (ICSI)

• 1998

  The development of the world's first
  rapid oocyte freezing technology

• 1999

  The establishment of the
  world's first egg bank

Today, more than 10,000 babies are born each year at CHA Medical Center, accounting for approximately 5% of all births in Korea and making a significant contribution to addressing the country's severe low birth rate. Korean infertility treatment technology has also continued to expand globally since entering the Australian market in 2018. Today, CHA operates 31 fertility centers across Australia, extending the reach of Korean reproductive medicine worldwide.

Following the establishment of CHA University in 1997, Dr. Cha provided scholarships to every medical student for 17 years, through 2013, with total support exceeding KRW 50 billion.
His philanthropic contributions include:

• 1998

  To support university development and the education of future generations during the Asian financial crisis

  32 Billion KRW(approx. KRW 600 billion today)
• 2009

  From personal assets to Yonsei University's scholarship campaign

  100 Million KRW
• 2010

  To Yonsei University Health System to advance global cancer research

  2 Billion KRW(Establishment of cancer research award)
• 2011

  For the International Stem Cell Clinical Trial Center and stem cell therapy development for intractable diseases

  10 Billion KRW
• 2021

  He has provided students at his alma mater with annual opportunities to visit and learn about the biotechnology industry, while continuing to contribute scholarships

In 1998, during the Asian financial crisis, he donated land and personal assets valued at KRW 32 billion at the time (equivalent to approximately KRW 600 billion today) to support university development and the education of future generations. In 2009, he donated KRW 100 million of his personal assets to Yonsei University's scholarship campaign. In 2010, he donated KRW 2 billion to Yonsei University Health System to advance global cancer research and established a cancer research award. In 2011, he donated KRW 10 billion to support the International Stem Cell Clinical Trial Center and the development of stem cell therapies for intractable diseases. In 2015, he donated KRW 1 billion to the “Beautiful Companionship” initiative aimed at overcoming intractable diseases. Since 2021, he has provided students at his alma mater with annual opportunities to visit and learn about the biotechnology industry, while continuing to contribute scholarships. Through a virtuous cycle in which research achievements are translated into clinical applications and reinvested in further research, Dr. Cha has consistently placed the future of Korean medicine above personal success.

Following the establishment of an infertility center at Columbia University in 1999, Dr. Cha achieved a historic milestone in 2004 by acquiring Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center in the United States, marking Korea's first overseas hospital export. In 2018, he entered the Australian market through the acquisition of City Fertility, one of Australia's leading fertility care providers, and CHA now operates 31 fertility centers across the country. Since 2019, CHA has further expanded into Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, and other markets, establishing a global network that currently comprises 96 medical institutions across 7 countries. This global network will serve as a key foundation for international clinical trials and therapeutic development in the emerging era of cell and gene therapies (CGT).

• 7

  Countries

• 96

  Medical Centers

• 1,800

  Doctors

• 1,400

  Members

This is the dream Dr. Cha has pursued throughout his life. Choosing research over hospital management, he continues to place the highest value on nurturing future generations and fostering a sustainable research ecosystem. Although he could have generated significantly greater personal profits by operating the Fertility Center at Gangnam CHA Hospital as a private clinic, he remained committed to preserving an integrated medical system that combines research, education, and clinical care. His dedication, including more than 12 years of service without receiving a salary, reflects his unwavering belief in prioritizing public health and national medical competitiveness over personal financial gain.

The Korean stem cell lines, known as K-Cell lines, which Dr. Cha has devoted his life to researching alongside infertility, represent a valuable national asset for Korea in the emerging era of cell-based therapies. Last year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare selected CHA Medical Center & CHA Bio Group to participate in a national initiative to commercialize these resources as part of the Global K-Library Establishment Project.
Dr. Cha states: