Lee Min-hyung joined The Korea Times in 2014 and has worked as a journalist mainly in Korea’s finance, tech and automotive industry. He specializes in content creation, breaking news and in-depth analysis currently on transportation and mobility. You can reach him via mhlee@koreatimes.co.kr.
CES 2026 Korea’s AI, health care firms have strong showing at CES 2026: show director
John Kelley, vice president and show director for CES, poses during an interview at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, on the sidelines of this year's CES tech exhibition, Sunday (local time). Courtesy of CTA
By Lee Min-hyung
LAS VEGAS — Artificial intelligence (AI) and health care players in Korea will have a strong presence at this year’s CES tech exhibition, as their global influence grows more powerful, CES Show Director John Kelley said during an interview Sunday (local time).
Korean firms' passion for the world’s largest tech fair remains robust at this year's event, as evidenced by the number of participating companies. A total of 853 Korean firms are taking part in CES 2026, the third-largest number after the United States and China.
The CES executive, who also serves as vice president at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), said AI is the primary focus for this year’s event.
“When I look at what is powering the CES right now, it is AI,” Kelley said. “AI is powering mobility, health care, education — everything.”
He expressed hopes for the Korean government’s continued advocacy in the AI sector, which is expected to cast a bigger influence on the overall operation of state affairs down the road.
“Countries adopt their own AI strategy, and I know this is a focus for the Korean government,” he said. “It is important to understand that it is crucial to national security and to the economic stability of a country, so I am glad to see many Korean AI companies at the tech fair.”
Major Korean participants at CES 2026 include Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics and Hyundai Motor — all of which are expected to showcase their renewed AI strategies at the exhibition, with a focus on how to apply the latest AI technologies to their products.
“Samsung and LG have very large spaces at the convention center this year as well, and there are some very innovative products and technologies on display in both companies,” Kelley said.
He also shared expectations for Korean startups, particularly in the health care sector. They take up the largest portion among participating startups by country this year.
“Their technologies make us stronger, healthier, help us live longer, treat diseases and solve problems, so health care is one of the most interesting sectors at the startup-dedicated Eureka Park this year,” Kelley said.
“Korean companies won a significant number of awards for their innovation, which is a testament to how strong Korea is, as far as innovation is concerned.”