The largest medical device exhibition in the country, the '2025 International Medical Equipment and Hospital Facilities Exhibition (KIMES),' opened on the 20th. Major corporations and startups, including Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, GE Healthcare, and Philips, attended the event, where the key topic was artificial intelligence (AI). Each exhibition hall attracted attendees' attention as corporations showcased medical devices incorporating AI.
KIMES is the largest medical device exhibition in the country, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It opened on this day and will run until the 23rd for four days. This year, approximately 1,450 manufacturers from home and abroad will participate, showcasing over 37,000 items, including medical devices, hospital equipment, medical information systems, healthcare and rehabilitation devices, and medical supplies.
Samsung Electronics presented an AI-assisted ultrasound device for obstetrics and gynecology. Existing ultrasound devices can experience measurement deviations depending on the user, but AI automatically selects the optimal images to enhance accuracy.
GE Healthcare showcased solutions utilizing AI at every stage from diagnosis to treatment. A GE Healthcare representative noted, "AI is being utilized across imaging diagnostics and treatment, including ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT)."
Startups also joined the AI craze. The Inter-ministerial R&D Project Group for Medical Devices (Inter-ministerial Project Group, KMDF) is operating a performance promotion hall for projects selected as the top 10 representative tasks this year.
Noul, participating in the promotion hall, unveiled an on-device AI-based cervical cancer diagnostic system. A Noul representative said, "Cervical cancer tests previously had limitations because they had to be sent to receiving institutions from small hospitals, but our equipment now allows for immediate diagnosis on-site."
Seers Technology presented a wearable electrocardiogram and an AI-based heart disease diagnosis and management system, while Kaihealth introduced technology that increases the success rate of embryo implantation during in vitro fertilization using AI. New Naps unveiled virtual reality (VR)-based digital therapeutics aimed at improving intractable visual impairments.
Park Min-soo, second vice minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, who attended the event, said, "The healthcare industry, which is gaining attention as a new growth engine for Korea, will focus on enhancing its capabilities to make a leap forward through AI."
Digital therapeutic devices and non-invasive treatment instruments also gained attention. JPai Healthcare introduced a next-generation portable breast cancer diagnostic system, Imocog presented digital therapeutic devices aimed at improving symptoms for patients with mild cognitive impairment, and Phi Biomedical showcased smart contact lenses for diagnosing intraocular pressure in glaucoma. Recens Medical revealed a cooling anesthetic device that lowers the surface temperature of the eye for anesthesia. A company representative said, "Unlike previous anesthesia, which took about 10 to 15 minutes, this new technology allows anesthesia to be performed within 2 minutes."
In addition, IMGT showcased a non-invasive treatment device aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of pancreatic cancer treatment and Tau Medical presented a minimally invasive procedure for atrial fibrillation treatment.
The area in front of the K-beauty booth was crowded with attendees from China and Japan, filling the aisles. During this event, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) and the Inter-ministerial Project Group will jointly hold the '2025 Global Medical Device Export Consultation (GMEP).' This year's consultation event will host the largest number of 150 buyers from 46 countries, along with corporations selected as the top 10 representative tasks by the Inter-ministerial Project Group.
A KOTRA representative said, "As of now, the number of consultations conducted in advance has exceeded 2,000, and including on-site consultations, it is expected to reach around 3,000," adding, "The number of corporations wishing to import medical devices is increasing not only in traditional medical device powerhouses like the U.S. and Europe but also in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East."