Covidien has launched a new center in Korea to facilitate technological development. The center, which will receive a total of US$21 million of funding over a three year period, will be the first such research and development facility in Korea. "It is our responsibility and honor to help advance physician capabilities and uncover opportunities for locally tailored solutions to increase access to the best patient care," explained Brian D. King, Covidien's president of emerging markets in a statement. The 6000 sq-m facility will feature a lab with 11 operating stations, an intensive care unit (ICU) lab, and a human patient simulator. In addition, the facility will have an auditorium for 112 people that features a 3-D/high-definition display technology.Covidien recently has signed memoranda of understanding with the Korean Surgical Society and the Korean Society for Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery and the company stresses that it will collaborate with those societies in training efforts and in new product development. The company's president of emerging markets, Brian King, has noted that South Korea represents an important component of the firm's international strategy. Last year, the company launched a $45 million R&D facility in Shanghai, China.