South Korean medical device manufacturers are intensifying efforts to enter overseas markets in China, Southeast Asia, and the United States, as overseas revenue increasingly surpasses domestic sales. This shift makes global regulatory approvals and local subsidiary expansion essential growth strategies for aesthetic and medical device suppliers targeting international buyers.
Market signal
Inbody, a global leader in body composition analysis, is targeting the Chinese market through its local subsidiary. It has partnered with pharmacy franchise networks to establish professional weight management rooms equipped with Inbody devices. This initiative focuses on patients using GLP-1 obesity treatments, expanding access to body composition analyzers in pharmacy settings.
Inbody has begun supplying its professional-grade 'Inbody260S' analyzer for this project, with plans for additional deliveries. It has also signed contracts to supply 'Inbody770CH-N' and 'Inbody270' devices to weight management clinics within hospitals across China.
Regulatory and channel signals
Wontech has secured medical device certification from the Indonesian Ministry of Health for its holmium laser surgical device 'Hole-in-One Pro', used for ureteroscopic stone removal, prostatectomy, and spinal endoscopy. This follows prior approval for its 'Hole-in-One Prima' laser in Indonesia.
In the aesthetic segment, Wontech recently obtained approvals in Mexico for its skin regeneration device 'Lavien' and vascular/pigment lesion treatment laser 'V-Laser'. With existing commercial experience in Brazil, the US, Europe, China, and Saudi Arabia, the company aims to rapidly expand in the Latin American aesthetic market.
Sourcing context
Digital healthcare firm Huinno received Japanese Ministry of Health approval for its AI-powered long-term ECG analysis solution 'Memocare', which collects and analyzes ECG data to detect arrhythmias. The device is suited for home monitoring and aging populations in developed markets.
Huinno also obtained FDA 510(k) clearance in December 2025 for its wearable ECG patch 'Memo Patch M', classified as a Class II device in the US. The patch is designed for arrhythmia monitoring and can be used on patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) or pacemakers, offering competitive advantages over existing products.
What buyers should watch
Industry sources indicate that most established Korean medical device firms now generate 50% or more of their revenue overseas. Companies are investing heavily in global certifications, patents, and local partnerships to sustain growth. According to the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, the US medical device market is projected to reach $321 billion by 2029, followed by China ($58 billion) and Germany ($45 billion), while South Korea's market is expected at $13 billion. This underscores the strategic importance of securing regulatory approvals and distribution channels in these key markets for aesthetic and medical device buyers.
Source: Read the original report | Published: June 17, 2026