Seoul City and Intuitive Surgical have also signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to expand Korea’s surgical robot training programs by building and operating the new center.

Under the deal, Intuitive Surgical will invest $8.82 million over the next three years toward constructing the center which will train local and international medical staff on how to conduct minimally invasive robot-assisted surgeries.

In addition, the US-based medical device company has pledged to train and hire at least 60 local professionals specializing in high-tech medical devices over the next five years, Seoul City said.

“Seoul is a city home to a globally competitive biotech and medical industry. We expect Intuitive Surgical’s new center to make a significant contribution to the expansion of our advanced medical device sector,” said Seo Dong-rok, director of Seoul City’s economic planning division.

By Sohn Ji-young (jys@heraldcorp.com)