DÜSSELDORF — Gangwon State is launching an aggressive push into the European medical device market, pairing exhibition showcases with hands-on regulatory and technical partnerships.

State officials announced that a 12-member delegation representing Gangwon State, Wonju City, the Wonju Medical Industry Promotion Agency, and Yonsei University will travel to Germany for MEDICA 2026, running from November 16 to 19 in Düsseldorf. The delegation aims to back 11 local companies exhibiting at the Gangwon Joint Pavilion while establishing deep institutional roots across Germany.

Unlike standard trade delegations centered solely on product displays, Gangwon's strategy provides a comprehensive, end-to-end framework. The initiative covers market entry points, compliance pathways, and joint research ventures.

Showcasing Regional Innovation

Eleven medical device companies from the province—eight from Wonju and three from Chuncheon—will feature advanced healthcare technologies at the Gangwon Joint Pavilion. Highlighted products include portable digital X-ray systems, diagnostic spirometers, and implantable medical cameras designed to meet high international standards.

MEDICA, established in 1969, marks its 58th iteration this year and remains the globe's premier gathering for medical technology innovators. Gangwon has maintained a continuous presence at the event since 2012, using it as a primary gateway to European distribution channels.

Multi-City Partnership Tour

The export support delegation has scheduled a series of high-level institutional meetings alongside the exhibition:

Frankfurt (Nov. 16): Meetings at the KOTRA Frankfurt Trade Center and the Frankfurt Biotechnology Innovation Center (FIZ) to analyze regional market dynamics and strengthen medical network linkages.
Düsseldorf (Nov. 17): Consultations with the Düsseldorf Economic Development Agency to explore local business support frameworks, alongside direct engagements with pavilion participants and export contract ceremonies.
Certification & R&D Hubs (Nov. 18–19): Regulatory strategy talks with German certification leader TÜV NORD concerning strict European Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Device Regulation (IVDR) compliance. Subsequent visits to Dresden will target joint R&D initiatives with Fraunhofer IKTS and formalized industry exchanges with regional cluster biosaxony.

A Growing Export Engine

Medical devices stand as Gangwon's leading export driver. In 2025, sector exports reached $679.84 million, accounting for 22.0% of the provincial total. European shipments comprised 34.4% of that figure, totaling $233.96 million. Momentum has accelerated further in Germany specifically, where exports grew 27.0% year-on-year to $8.64 million between January and September.

"MEDICA serves as an essential platform for our regional enterprises to prove their technological edge and secure trustworthy European partners," said Kim Moon-ki, Director of the Economic Bureau of Gangwon State. "By seamlessly integrating on-site exhibition support with rigorous certification and research collaborations, we are laying the groundwork for our companies to achieve stable, long-term growth in Europe."

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