Global Health Regulators Convene in Seoul to Forge New Era of Medical AI Governance

South Korea is positioning itself at the center of international dialogue on healthcare AI regulation. On August 28, 2026, the country's Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) will host a major symposium bringing together health policy leaders from the OECD, Australia, Denmark, Taiwan, and South Korea to address regulatory challenges and opportunities presented by AI in medicine.

The event, titled "AI Great Transformation: Opening the Future of Healthcare Innovation — Redrawing Systems, Policies and the Field," signals a shift toward coordinated international approaches to medical AI governance, moving beyond the fragmented national strategies that have characterized the field to date.

International Expert Lineup Addresses Regulatory Complexity

The symposium will feature keynote addresses from Eric Sutherland, Senior Health Economist at the OECD, and Kim Jun-ha, Professor at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology. Their presentations are expected to frame the broader policy landscape for AI integration across diverse healthcare systems.

International presenters include Stephen Duckett, Emeritus Professor at the University of Melbourne, representing Australia's perspective; Claus Møldrup, Director of Data Analytics at the Danish Medicines Agency; and Lian-Yu Chen, Director-General of Taiwan's National Health Insurance Administration. Park Rae-woong, Professor at Ajou University, will contribute South Korean clinical and policy insights. The panel discussion will be moderated by Kim Ju-han, Professor at Seoul National University.

Park Jeong-hwan, Director of the Medical AI and Data Policy Division at South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare, will also participate, underscoring government commitment to developing coherent AI healthcare policies.

Strategic Implications for Healthcare Stakeholders

The symposium's focus on regulatory frameworks carries significant implications for multiple stakeholder groups. For health technology companies developing AI solutions, the convergence of regulatory perspectives from multiple national health systems offers strategic intelligence for product development and market entry planning. Understanding how different countries approach clinical validation requirements, reimbursement structures, and implementation standards will be essential for companies seeking to deploy AI tools across international markets.

Healthcare providers and hospital systems should pay attention to the policy frameworks emerging from this dialogue, as they will likely influence how AI-powered diagnostic and treatment tools are validated, reimbursed, and integrated into clinical workflows. The participation of health insurance administrators from multiple countries suggests that payment models for AI services will be a key discussion point.

Open Access and Public Engagement

The event will take place at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel's Grand Ballroom in Jung-gu, Seoul. Registration is open through August 19, 2026, and HIRA is making the symposium accessible both in-person and via its official YouTube channel, allowing domestic and international health professionals as well as the general public to participate in the conversation about AI's role in healthcare's future.

The symposium represents a significant moment in the evolution of medical AI governance, as regulators and policymakers work to balance innovation with patient safety, data privacy, and equitable access to AI-enhanced healthcare services.

Sources

1. Health and medical AI forum set for Aug. 28 in Seoul — The Herald Business