Gangwon Province to Make Biggest-Ever Appearance at 'KIMES 2026'... Leading the Way in AI and Digital Medical Devices

Gangwon's Medical Device Industry Leads AI and Digital Innovation at KIMES 2026

Driving 14% of National Exports, Making an Impression on Global Buyers

Gangwon Province Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on March 18 that, together with Wonju City, it will participate in 'KIMES 2026 (41st Korea International Medical & Hospital Equipment Show)'—the nation's largest medical device exhibition—taking place from March 19 to 22. The province plans to showcase the advanced technological capabilities and competitiveness of Gangwon's medical device industry at the event.

View of Gangwon Provincial Government Building. Provided by Gangwon Provincial Government

The province, in collaboration with the Wonju Medical Device Industry Techno Valley Foundation and Wonju City, will establish a Gangwon Joint Pavilion featuring 26 companies from within the province, actively utilizing the exhibition to expand their entry into global markets.

Since its first edition in 1980, KIMES has grown alongside the advancement of Korea's medical industry. It is the largest international medical device exhibition in the country, where visitors can explore the latest trends in medical technology, including medical information systems, radiology equipment, and medical AI solutions—all in one place.

At the Gangwon Joint Pavilion, organizers plan to identify new domestic and international buyers in advance, promote companies and products, and conduct export consultations. In particular, they aim to facilitate practical export contracts by connecting with buyers engaged in global markets, such as those encountered at WHX Dubai and MEDICA Germany.

The range of products on display has also become more diverse. In addition to traditional core products of Gangwon's medical device industry—such as ultrasonic surgical devices, dermatological equipment, medical electrodes, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy devices—the exhibition will feature a wide array of advanced products integrating ICT, including AI-based medical solutions, AI kiosk hearing testers, smart ward monitoring systems, and body composition analyzers, offering a comprehensive look at the technological advancement of the industry in Gangwon.

Additionally, 19 companies from the province will participate with individual booths, engaging in active marketing and buyer consultations on site, with the aim of strengthening Gangwon's medical device brand awareness and expanding both domestic sales and export achievements.

The Gangwon Joint Pavilion is operated to reflect the ongoing demand for participation from medical device companies throughout the entire province, not just those based in Wonju. Recognizing the difficulties small businesses face in participating individually in large-scale exhibitions, the joint pavilion approach supports scaling up and presenting a concentrated range of products, effectively capturing the interest of domestic and international buyers.

Gangwon's medical device industry is a key strategic sector, accounting for 4.33% of companies nationwide but contributing 9.33% of total production and 14.22% of exports. Participation in KIMES 2026 is expected to further strengthen its presence on the global stage.

Kim Man-ho, Director General of Economic Affairs at Gangwon Province Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "We regard participation in domestic and international exhibitions as a core component of our inbound and outbound export support projects, in order to enhance the global competitiveness of Gangwon's medical device companies. In particular, at this year's KIMES 2026, we will do our utmost to ensure that the technological capabilities of Gangwon companies in the AI and digital healthcare sectors are fully recognized by both domestic and international buyers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.