SEOUL — South Korea’s healthcare sector has achieved a monumental milestone on the global stage. According to the "World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2027" rankings released on October 22 by the U.S. newsmagazine Newsweek and global data firm Statista, Samsung Medical Center secured 4th place worldwide, marking the highest ranking ever achieved by a South Korean hospital.

The latest evaluation assessed hospitals across 33 countries based on their digitalization, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, and systemic implementation. Final scores were compiled through a comprehensive process combining medical expert recommendations, digital maturity surveys evaluating AI, robotics, and telemedicine integration, and international digital healthcare accreditations.

Samsung Medical Center leaped 11 spots from its 15th-place finish last year, placing right behind global medical powerhouses such as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Mount Sinai Hospital in the United States.

Beyond Samsung, South Korea demonstrated robust national competitiveness by placing a record-breaking eight hospitals within the global top 100. Other prominent institutions making the list include Asan Medical Center (27th), Seoul National University Hospital (30th), Ajou University Hospital (39th), Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (40th), Severance Hospital (52nd), Inha University Hospital (68th), Seoul St. Mary's Hospital (81th), and Wooriidul Hospital (85th).

In addition to the overall smart hospital rankings, Newsweek and Statista introduced a special category recognizing hospitals that actively integrate cutting-edge AI technology into clinical practice and hospital administration to drive innovation: the "AI Innovation Leaders." South Korea proudly claimed four spots in this category, with Samsung Medical Center, Asan Medical Center, Severance Hospital, and Inha University Hospital earning international acclaim for their pioneering AI infrastructure.

Industry experts attribute this remarkable achievement to South Korea's aggressive adoption of advanced ICT in medicine, robust digital health ecosystems, and continuous commitment to smart clinical innovation.

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]