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KIMES Seoul Guide: Korea Medical Device Show and Leads

By Ilyas Kerbal,

Medical device exhibitor stand at a medical technology trade show
Photo: Gpkp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

KIMES (Korea International Medical & Hospital Equipment Show) is Korea’s largest specialised exhibition for medical devices and hospital facilities, held every year since 1980. It typically hosts around 1,300 exhibitors and 70,000 visitors, and it’s a showcase for Korea’s strengths in ultrasound, radiology, aesthetic devices, dental and AI diagnostics. For distributors looking for K-medtech brands, and for suppliers selling to Korean hospitals, the KIMES attendee list is the place to start.

This guide is for the March 2027 edition.

KIMES key facts
Industry Medical devices
City Seoul, South Korea
Venue COEX (Halls A–D), Seoul
Dates March, 41st edition 19–22 Mar 2026
Frequency Annual
Moves between cities? No, always Seoul (COEX)
Typical scale ~70,000 attendees · ~1,300 exhibitors
Visitor ticket Free if pre-registered early; KRW 10,000–20,000 otherwise
App / platform Online registration (kimes.kr)
Official website kimes.kr

Details checked in October 2026. Dates, prices and venues can change between editions, so confirm on the official KIMES website before you book travel.

What’s at KIMES?

  • Ultrasound and diagnostic imaging
  • Aesthetic and dermatology devices
  • Dental equipment
  • Hospital equipment and supplies
  • Rehabilitation and robotic medicine
  • AI diagnostics and medical IT

International pavilions and medical conferences run alongside.

COEX area in Gangnam, Seoul

KIMES is held every March at COEX in Seoul. Photo: Piotrus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Venue and dates

KIMES is held every March at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul, using Halls A–D. The 41st edition ran 19–22 March 2026. A separate regional edition, KIMES Busan, also runs.

Who attends KIMES

Visitor Interest Who should target them
Hospital and clinic purchasing staff Equipment and supplies Device makers
Doctors and dentists Clinical devices Device makers
Device distributors (Asia, Middle East, LatAm) K-medtech brands Korean manufacturers
OEM sourcing teams Manufacturing partners Korean OEMs
Researchers Technology Instrument makers
Government health officials Policy Industry bodies

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Ticket windows

Registration Price
Invitation or pre-registration by 28 February Free
Advance registration (1–18 March) KRW 10,000
On site KRW 20,000

Data and preparation

Registration, exhibitor search and seminar information are on kimes.kr. Most exhibitors are Korean, and much of the information is in Korean. For international distributors, a list of Korean manufacturers by category with export contacts is the fastest way to plan meetings. For suppliers, a list of hospital buyers and distributors does the same job.

Pros and cons

Pros Cons
A showcase of fast-growing Korean medtech Mostly Korean-language
Cheap or free entry Mostly domestic exhibitors
Strong aesthetics and ultrasound categories Fees rise for late registration
Central Seoul venue Smaller than CMEF or WHX
Good for distributors seeking K-medtech brands Overlaps with other March medtech events

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Preparing for KIMES 2027

  1. Pre-register by the end of February for free entry.
  2. Focus on Korea’s strong categories: aesthetics, ultrasound and dental.
  3. Check export certifications (CE, FDA) for brands you want to distribute.
  4. Book meetings in early March.
  5. Bring Korean materials or a local partner.
  6. Follow up with distribution proposals quickly.

FAQ

When is KIMES?

Every March at COEX, Seoul. The 41st edition ran 19–22 March 2026.

Is KIMES free?

Yes, for invitation holders and those who pre-register by 28 February. Later registration costs KRW 10,000–20,000.

What is KIMES known for?

Korean ultrasound, radiology, aesthetic, dental and AI diagnostic devices.

Can I get the KIMES attendee list?

There’s no exportable list. I can build an enriched list of exhibitors and attendee profiles.

Want the KIMES attendee list?

A good list turns a KIMES trip from “let’s see who walks by” into a calendar of booked meetings. I build those lists for sales and business development teams: who is exhibiting, who is visiting, their roles, their companies and how to reach them, formatted for your CRM.

Request the KIMES attendee and exhibitor list

Sources

Photo credits