The 49th World Hospital Congress Kicks Off on the 19th... Over 2,000 People Gather in Seoul
Held in Korea for the First Time in 19 Years, Promoting K-Medical through Hospital Tours and the Korea Pavilion

Some 2,000 hospital and healthcare leaders from about 90 countries around the world are visiting Seoul to directly witness South Korea's outstanding medical services and hospital operation sites.

The Korean Hospital Association (KHA) and the International Hospital Federation (IHF) announced on the 7th that they will jointly host the '49th IHF World Hospital Congress' for four days from the 19th to the 22nd at COEX Magok Convention Center in Seoul.

This congress marks the World Hospital Congress being held in South Korea for the first time in 19 years, following the 35th congress held in Seoul in 2007. Under the grand theme of "Global Learning, Local Action for Every Patient," the event conveys the meaning that regardless of differences in countries and medical environments, the global hospital community should share knowledge and experience, apply them to fields in each country, and provide better medical care for every patient. Hospital directors, chief executive officers, policy makers, medical experts, and representatives of healthcare institutions and related companies from all over the world will gather in one place.

Through some 60 sessions, the congress will discuss major issues in the global hospital community, such as hospital leadership and management, digital healthcare and artificial intelligence (AI), patient safety, medical innovation, sustainable hospitals, and global healthcare cooperation. Some 320 speakers representing hospitals and healthcare sectors from around the world will participate. AI-based simultaneous interpretation systems will be introduced in almost all sessions to support domestic and foreign participants in listening and communicating without language barriers.

The opening ceremony, which announces the official start of the congress, will be held on the 20th. Following the opening by Lee Wang-jun, incoming IHF President and Chairman of the Board, Henry Gallardo, President of the IHF, will deliver the opening address, and Yoo Kyung-ha, President of the Korean Hospital Association, will give the welcoming remarks.

Lee Hyung-hoon, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, will deliver a congratulatory speech conveying the South Korean government's message on international healthcare cooperation, while Park Hun-soo, Senior Vice President of Samsung Electronics, will present the direction of the future healthcare rapidly changing around AI and digital technology in his keynote speech.

During the congress, discussions will focus on how to apply AI and digital technology to the medical field and what value it will give to patients, rather than technological development itself, and innovation cases of major domestic hospitals and companies will also be shared with the global hospital community.

Hospital tours for overseas participants to experience Korean medical services firsthand are also arranged. 15 medical institutions, including Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, Korea University Anam Hospital, National Cancer Center, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Severance Hospital, and Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, will participate, and some 500 overseas participants are expected to tour each hospital's medical treatment and operation systems, smart hospital infrastructure, and specialized medical treatment systems.

A 'Korean Pavilion' will also be operated inside the venue. Some 110 booths of major domestic hospitals and healthcare companies will participate to introduce outstanding medical services, digital healthcare technologies, medical devices, and innovative cases, along with Korea's tradition and culture. The Hospital Association plans to operate the Korean Pavilion beyond a simple PR space as an exchange platform to seek cooperation between medical institutions, overseas expansion, joint research, and global business opportunities.

Networking programs such as the IHF Awards ceremony discovering innovative cases of hospitals and healthcare institutions around the world, a welcome reception, exhibition opening, and gala dinner will follow. Programs introducing traditional culture and performances are also prepared for participants visiting Korea for the first time to create an "international exchange venue where medical care and culture come together."

The congress will be held in connection with the '2026 World Bio Summit' running at the same venue from the 21st to the 22nd. By aligning the schedule and venue with the representative global bio-health event hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and related organizations, the hospital community—the core site where new medical technologies, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and AI technologies are applied to actual medical practices—and the bio-health industry will discuss the direction of future healthcare and global cooperation measures together. Through this, the Hospital Association plans to lay the foundation for South Korea to lead global AI healthcare discussions and establish a continuous cooperation system with hospitals and healthcare institutions around the world.

An official from the Korean Hospital Association said, "We are making every effort for final preparations so that this congress does not end as a four-day international conference, but becomes a new starting point for the Korean and global hospital communities to continuously exchange and cooperate," adding, "Based on the established global network, we will enable the Korean hospital community to speak out more actively on global healthcare issues."

Meanwhile, established in 1929, the IHF is an international organization with some 200 hospital associations and healthcare institutions representing about 80 countries as members, and 35,000 hospitals participating. Since joining in 1966, the Korean Hospital Association has been active as a major member for nearly 60 years. Honorary President Kim Kwang-tae served as IHF President from 2013 to 2015, contributing to strengthening the financial base and establishing the IHF Awards, and Vice Chairman Lee Wang-jun (Chairman of Myongji Hospital) was elected as incoming President at the 2025 General Assembly and will serve as President from 2027 to 2029.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]