Medtronic Korea said on Friday that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (KSOG) to designate the Medtronic Innovation Center in Korea as a specialized training facility for gynecologic surgery.

Under the MOU, Medtronic Korea will equip the Medtronic Innovation Center with a medical device R&D and medical skills center, while the KSOG will be responsible for preparing and conducting training programs for specialists at the center.

Located in the Osong Advanced Medical Complex in North Chungcheong Province, the Medtronic Innovation Center was first established in 2013 as the Covidien Innovation Center, making it the first medical device R&D and training center in Korea. Following Medtronic's merger with Covidien in 2017, it was rebranded as the Medtronic Innovation Center.

According to a Medtronic official, over 2,200 domestic doctors have received training at the center through more than 170 training programs as of 2022. 

"Over the past few years, endoscopic surgery has become commonplace in gynecology and the need for research and acquisition of the latest medical technologies has increased as endoscopic surgical techniques and instruments have evolved," said the KSOG President Lee Jae-kwan. "There is a great demand for quality education and training of gynecologists, and we expect that this MOU will help facilitate this goal.”

Medtronic Korea’s Vice President and Managing Director Yoo Seung-rok also chimed in saying, "We are pleased to work with the Korean Society of Gynecologic Endoscopy, which has made significant contributions to expanding the foundation of gynecologic endoscopic surgery in Korea and improving skills for domestic and international physicians."

The company will continue to realize its mission of alleviating pain, restoring health,  and extending life by investing in the advancement of domestic medicine and skills, Yoo added.