South Korea, China, and Japan Partner on AI-Driven Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities

On September 9, 2026, the National Rehabilitation Center (국립재활원) of South Korea hosted the 18th Korea-China-Japan International Symposium on Rehabilitation Research in Seoul. The event focused on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology to improve rehabilitation and healthcare for people with disabilities, addressing shared challenges of aging populations and rising chronic illnesses across the three nations.

What happened

• International Collaboration: The National Rehabilitation Center hosted the 18th Korea-China-Japan International Symposium on Rehabilitation Research on September 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the Seoul Olympic Parktel Olympia Hall [1].
• AI-Focused Care: The symposium brought together experts from South Korea, China, and Japan to discuss utilizing AI technology to improve rehabilitation and health management for people with disabilities [1].
• Key Discussion Areas: Participants focused on deploying AI-based rehabilitation and care robots, as well as ensuring the continuity of medical services from hospitals to local communities [1].
• Three Major Sessions: The event featured dedicated sessions on AI companionship, person-centered rehabilitation continuity, and AI-based rehabilitation and care robots [1].

Why it matters

South Korea, China, and Japan face similar societal challenges, including rapidly aging populations and an increase in chronic diseases, which lead to higher rates of disability and health disparities [1]. People with disabilities often face physical and mental impairments that limit daily activities, making them vulnerable to social discrimination or crime [2].

To address these issues, the three countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2009 to establish a long-term research cooperation system [1]. By sharing clinical experiences and research achievements, they aim to expand social participation for people with disabilities. The integration of AI and robotics represents a shift toward connecting technology with human care, and hospitals with local communities, to support independent living and guarantee health rights [1].

The numbers

Cooperation History

• 17 Years of Collaboration: 2026 (current symposium) – 2009 (MOU signing year) = 17 years of continuous annual research cooperation between the three nations [1].
• 18 Symposia: The 2026 event marks the 18th time the three nations have gathered for this international symposium [1].

Event Overview

Key Presentation Sessions

Fact-check

• Claim: South Korea, China, and Japan have held this joint rehabilitation symposium annually since signing an MOU in 2009.
• Status: TRUE.
• Explanation: The three nations signed an MOU in 2009 and have held 18 annual symposia up to 2026 to maintain a long-term research cooperation system [1].

• Claim: The National Rehabilitation Center has finalized the dates and detailed schedules for the next joint symposium.
• Status: MISLEADING.
• Explanation: While the National Rehabilitation Center plans to continue seeking ways to support independent living for people with disabilities, specific follow-up research and the schedule for the next symposium are yet to be announced [1].

What's next

• Future Research: Following the September 9, 2026 symposium, the National Rehabilitation Center plans to utilize the shared AI technology achievements to continuously develop models that help people with disabilities live independently in their communities [1].
• Upcoming Announcements: Specific follow-up research projects and the schedule for the next Korea-China-Japan rehabilitation symposium will be announced at a later date [1].

Sources

1. AI 시대 장애인 재활의 미래, 한·중·일 연구협력으로 찾다 — 보건복지부 보도자료
2. 장애인 — Wikipedia (ko)