The 9th Asia Pacific Anti-Aging Conference (APAAC 2026), one of Daegu’s flagship international medical conferences, will take place over three days, Nov. 13–15, at EXCO.
According to the Daegu city government on Nov. 12, APAAC 2026 will bring together about 550 medical experts and business professionals in the anti-aging field from 10 countries, including South Korea, to share the latest medical technologies and clinical knowledge and explore opportunities for international academic exchange and industry cooperation.
The defining feature of this year’s APAAC 2026 is its significantly expanded focus on “internal anti-aging,” including restoring physical function and preventing aging, moving beyond the traditional emphasis on “external anti-aging” centered on dermatology and plastic surgery.
The shift reflects the emergence of “healthspan optimization”—maintaining good health without disease rather than simply living longer—as an important value in the anti-aging industry as South Korea enters a super-aged society.
The academic program consists of two tracks: Wellness Anti-Aging (preventing internal aging) and Cosmetic Anti-Aging (preventing external aging).
The newly introduced Wellness Anti-Aging track will feature the latest research on topics including the weight-loss and metabolic benefits of GLP-1 drugs, which have drawn attention as treatments for obesity and diabetes; “reverse-aging clinical practice” aimed at reversing cellular aging; exercise and metabolic aging; preventing brain aging; and overcoming psychosocial aging.
Sessions will also examine longevity medicine policies and anti-aging industry trends across the Asia-Pacific region, including China and Japan.
In addition to academic exchanges among experts, programs for the public are also planned.
On Nov. 15, Yoon Bang-boo, chairman of Asan Chungmu Hospital and professor emeritus at Yonsei University, known as “South Korea’s first board-certified family medicine physician,” will give a free public lecture on “Beautiful and Healthy Aging.”
On Nov. 14–15, 43 companies and institutions will participate in an exhibition featuring 47 booths.
They will showcase a range of products and technologies, from medical devices for dermatological and plastic surgery treatments to health supplements, inner-beauty products and K-beauty brands, and hold one-on-one export consultations with overseas buyers.
A welcome event on Nov. 14 will draw about 300 medical professionals, experts and businesspeople from South Korea and abroad.
“The anti-aging industry is a future growth sector that extends beyond advances in medical technology and can connect with a wide range of industries, including medical and wellness tourism and digital healthcare,” said Kim Tae-woon, head of Daegu’s AI Innovation and Growth Office. “We hope this event will build on Daegu’s medical industry foundation to spur innovation in AI, biotechnology and medical devices and serve as a springboard for the city to become a global medical industry hub.”
