"AI Can Bridge Healthcare Gaps... 85% of Consultation Needs Can Be Addressed"

Medical Korea 2026 Opens at COEX on the 19th
"Faster Drug Development... Reaching Patients Sooner"
Government to Launch Non-Face-to-Face Consultations and Integrated Platform for Foreign Patients

"In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), everyone around the world should be able to benefit from medical care, regardless of geographical barriers or income levels."

Edward Max, CEO of Max Advisory, stated during his keynote speech at the opening ceremony of "Medical Korea 2026" held on the 19th at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, "AI technology can bring about significant transformation in the healthcare sector. It is especially important that it be utilized to reduce consultation times and support doctors in their decision-making processes." He added, "Eighty-five percent of patient consultation needs can be addressed through AI."

Edward Max, CEO of Max Advisory, is delivering the keynote speech at the opening ceremony of 'Medical Korea 2026' held on the 19th at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Sungmin Lee

CEO Max said, "By leveraging our high-quality data and excellent tools, we can enjoy greater benefits throughout the entire medical ecosystem. It is remarkable progress that the average 18-year period required for new drug development has been shortened by several years, and that new surgical methods and drugs are reaching patients more quickly through AI predictions."

He also pointed out that such healthcare innovations require the backing of leadership in each country. He said, "Even in the United States, various regulations sometimes act as constraints on innovation. Leadership is needed to adjust excessive regulations." He added, "The global gap in healthcare is gradually narrowing, and the medical environment is becoming more level. In order to make this change a reality, efforts at the level of national governance are crucial."

Hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and organized by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, Medical Korea 2026 opened on this day and will continue until the 22nd. Now in its 16th year, the Medical Korea Conference is a venue for healthcare professionals from around the world to share the latest trends in the global medical industry and explore strategies for international cooperation.

On the 19th, the 'Medical Korea 2026' exhibition hall held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, was bustling with visitors. Photo by Lee Sungmin

This year's event is held under the theme "Global Healthcare Powered by AI: Bringing the Future Closer, Connecting the World." In response to the era of AI Transformation (AX), a variety of conferences are being held to discuss the current realities and future of the healthcare industry. In addition to business meetings and discussions among global companies, an exhibition hall is also being operated. High-level bilateral meetings (G2G) with major partner countries in the health and medical sector are also scheduled.

At last year's Medical Korea 2025, there were 667 consultations, 45 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) related to patient referrals and overseas expansion, and five export contracts totaling $3.17 million (approximately KRW 4.7 billion) were signed. This year, 38 buyers from 19 countries including the United States, Japan, and Kazakhstan are participating, and about 220 domestic companies are expected to attend the event.

Minister of Health and Welfare Jung Eun-kyung said in her welcoming address, "AI technology is advancing at an unprecedented speed, leading us into a completely different life than before. Although it is still difficult to predict the direction of these changes, in the field of medicine, which deals with human life, AI technology must be used to ensure that no one is left behind in receiving appropriate care at the right time."

She continued, "The government will institutionalize non-face-to-face consultations for foreign patients in line with the changes in the global health paradigm and will establish an integrated platform that supports the entire medical cycle from pre-consultation to post-management. We will further enhance the trust and quality of medical services for foreign patients who choose Korea."

At the opening ceremony of "Medical Korea 2026" held on the 19th at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, key officials are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Korea Health Industry Development Institute

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