Jongno-gu Actively Supports the Relocation of the National Medical Center and the Promotion of the Central Infectious Disease Specialized Hospital

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) has expressed strong support for Seoul City's proposal to relocate the National Medical Center to the former US Army Corps of Engineers site in Bangsan-dong and establish a Central Infectious Disease Specialized Hospital.

Since its opening in 1958, the issue of relocating the National Medical Center, which has been at the forefront of protecting the lives and health of the people, has been under discussion for a long period of 17 years.

This shows that while the role and responsibility of the National Medical Center have been increasing day by day, appropriate facility investments and functional enhancements have not been made accordingly.

Looking back over the past 10 years, new types of infectious diseases have emerged every year, including SARS and MERS, which caused significant shocks to our daily lives.

Many experts have warned that the emergence of such new infectious diseases will continue to recur. This is why it is urgent to strengthen the functions of the National Medical Center and establish a Central Infectious Disease Specialized Hospital.

The area around Bangsan-dong, proposed by Seoul City on April 28 as the new site for the National Medical Center, has recently been vacated due to the relocation of the US military base and is considered an optimal location for a national central hospital and a central infectious disease hospital. Located in central Seoul, it offers convenient transportation and easy access from both Gangnam and Gangbuk areas, and Jongno-gu believes it can fill the medical service gap in the relatively underserved northern region.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “Continuing only discussions about the site makes it impossible to respond to the next emerging infectious disease. It is time to end the long debate and for the government and local governments to join forces so that the National Medical Center can save more lives and care for more citizens.” He added, “We strongly support Seoul City’s proposal to relocate the National Medical Center and establish a Central Infectious Disease Specialized Hospital, and we will actively cooperate with any efforts that can be made at the district level.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.