Wonju Mayor Gu Ja-yeol is leading a push to designate the city as a national hub for advanced medical technology, aiming to integrate the region’s existing medical device manufacturing infrastructure with artificial intelligence and digital healthcare. The city officially launched its campaign to secure the designation of a high-tech medical complex during a policy forum and resolution event held at Hotel Inter-Burgo Wonju on November 5.
Building on Industrial Infrastructure
Wonju currently serves as a central cluster for the medical device industry in Korea, hosting approximately 180 medical device manufacturers. The city’s strategy for the proposed medical complex uses this industrial base along with local universities, hospitals, research institutions, and major public health organizations, including the National Health Insurance Service and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.
The city plans to transform its manufacturing-focused industry into an AI-driven medical technology (MedTech) sector. By establishing a support system that connects research and development with clinical trials, regulatory approval, production, and international exports, Wonju intends to create an ecosystem that spans from diagnosis to treatment, rehabilitation, and care.
City Officials Coordinate Legislative Amendment to Secure High-Tech Medical Complex Designation
A primary obstacle to the city’s goal is the current status of the “Advanced Medical Complex Act.” While the city is actively lobbying the government and the National Assembly for institutional improvements, the amendment required for the additional designation of a high-tech medical complex has not yet been submitted to the plenary session of the National Assembly.
- City officials, including Mayor Gu, have identified the legislative amendment as the key prerequisite for success and are coordinating with Gangwon State to expedite the process.
- During the recent forum, representatives from industry, academia, and research sectors, led by Heo Young-gu of the Gangwon Medical Device Industry Association, issued a joint resolution urging the swift passage of the amendment.
- Looking ahead, the city plans to commission a comprehensive project development plan for the medical complex in the coming year.
“Wonju has been fostering the medical device industry for nearly 30 years and is steadily expanding it into the digital healthcare field,” said Mayor Gu. “We will leap forward as a core base for national medical technology by adding advanced technology to the manufacturing foundation we have built.”
