KIMES 2026: Korea’s Premier Medical Technology Exhibition Showcases AI-Driven Healthcare Innovations
Seoul, South Korea – The 41st Korea International Medical & Hospital Equipment Show (KIMES 2026) concluded on March 22, 2026, at the COEX convention center, attracting over 80,000 visitors – a new record for the event. KIMES has solidified its position as a leading global B2B platform for the medical device industry, comparable in scale to Germany’s MEDICA.
Growth and Innovation at KIMES 2026
This year’s exhibition marked a significant step forward with the introduction of an official keynote speech program, featuring six tech leaders who presented their visions for the future of AI-based healthcare. The event showcased advancements in areas such as precision disease prediction, customized patient management, data-driven early disease detection, anti-aging technologies, rehabilitation robotics, and integrated home-hospital medical services. The number of visitors exceeded 80,000, up from 72,507 in 2025.
International Participation and Business Outcomes
KIMES 2026 saw participation from 1,490 companies across 41 countries. The event attracted approximately 5,500 overseas buyers, an increase of around 600 from the previous year. Preliminary figures indicate a total exhibition consultation performance of ₩2.3 trillion in domestic sales and $450 million in exports, alongside exhibition contracts worth ₩280 billion domestically and $170 million internationally – all representing growth compared to 2025.
Public Institutions Showcase Cutting-Edge Technologies
Several public institutions, including the Osong High-Tech Medical Industry Promotion Foundation (KBIOHealth), the Daegu-Gyeongbuk High-Tech Medical Industry Promotion Foundation (K-Medi Hub), and the Wonju Medical Device Industry Promotion Agency, highlighted innovative medical devices developed by local companies. These devices integrated AI and digital technologies to address various healthcare challenges.
KBIOHealth Innovations
KBIOHealth presented the achievements of eight companies, double the number showcased in the previous year. A notable highlight was Celico’s augmented reality (AR) glasses, ‘Eyecane,’ developed in collaboration with KBIOHealth. Eyecane is a micro electronic eye device designed to assist visually impaired patients by augmenting damaged vision areas.
K-Medi Hub Advancements
K-Medi Hub provided research and development technology consulting to seven medical device companies, an increase of two from the previous year. Irop, a K-Medi Hub-supported company, garnered attention with its domestic laparoscopic surgical robot, ‘Eroptics,’ and associated consumables, offering a local alternative to established international products like the ‘Da Vinci’ surgical system.
Wonju Medical Device Industry Promotion Agency Highlights
The Wonju Medical Device Industry Promotion Agency showcased cutting-edge medical devices and digital healthcare products from 26 companies in the Gangwon province. Elium’s body type analyzer and HBIO Medical’s high-pressure oxygen therapy device were among the featured innovations.
KIMES: A Platform for Global Medical Industry Growth
“KIMES is beyond a simple exhibition and is Asia’s representative convergence MICE combining technology and investment, presenting future medical standards and becoming a key platform for sustainable growth of the global medical industry,” stated an official from Korea E&X, the event’s host organization.
Event Details:
- Dates: March 19 – March 22, 2026
- Location: COEX, Seoul, South Korea
- Organizer: Korea E & Ex Inc.
- Contact: kimes@kimes.kr