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Medical Korea 2026 kicks off with focus on AI-driven global health care
A poster for Medical Korea 2026 / Courtesy of Ministry of Health and Welfare
By Park Ung
Medical Korea 2026 will open Thursday for a four-day run at Coex in Gangnam District, Seoul, featuring artificial intelligence (AI)-focused programs connecting Korea and the global health care industry.
Hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the event has served since 2010 as a platform for global health care experts to share industry insights and promote international cooperation. Under the theme “AI-Powered Global Healthcare: Bringing the Future and the World Closer,” this year’s event will examine key challenges and the future of the health care industry in the era of AI.
Edward Marx, chief executive officer of health care consulting firm Marx Advisory, will deliver a keynote address on how AI is reshaping the global health care industry. Jung Eun-young, director general of the Health Industry Policy Bureau at the health ministry, will outline Korea’s global medical services and future policy directions.
Business meetings will connect overseas buyers seeking partnerships with Korean medical institutions and companies. Last year, 667 meetings led to 45 memorandums of understanding on patient referrals and overseas expansion, as well as five export contracts worth about $3.17 million.
This year, 38 buyers from 19 countries, along with about 220 Korean sellers, are expected to take part, highlighting Korea’s growing role in the global medical services market.
Business roundtables with Ukraine will focus on supporting its health care reconstruction, while a separate session with the U.S. state of Utah will highlight the state’s bio-health policies and Korean companies seeking to enter the U.S. market. Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyung will also meet her Mongolian counterpart, Chinburen Jigjidsuren, to discuss cooperation in pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
“We will leverage AI technologies, which are advancing at an unprecedented pace, to both expand access to universal health care services and drive innovation in the health care industry,” Jeong said, adding that she hopes this year’s Medical Korea will strengthen global cooperation and help explore the future of medical AI.