The technology level of Korea's health industry is three to five years behind the top global powerhouses.

According to statistics released by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Korea's pharmaceutical technology rating was only 64 percent of that marked by the world's top finisher last year, representing a gap of four-point-eight years.

The food and cosmetics industries each accounted for 59 and 67 percent of the top global level with both five-point-two years behind. But Korea's medical equipment rating resulted in only a three-point-six year gap.

The health sector accounted for 356-billion won, or 351-million dollars, worth of government funding for technological development.

That breaks down to research and development in medicine taking up the biggest portion, followed by medical equipment, food and then cosmetics as necessary fields for funding.