Yeongdeungpo Smart Medical Special Zone Wins Prime Minister's Award...The Only Autonomous District in Seoul

Ministry of SMEs and Startups Hosts '2020 Regional Special Zone Performance Evaluation' Prime Minister's Award...Only Seoul District, Yeongdeungpo-type Smart Medical Special Zone Wins Excellence Award

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Cha Hyun-il)'s Smart Medical Special Zone has achieved the great honor of being selected as an excellent special zone in the 2020 Regional Specialized Development Special Zone Operation Performance Evaluation hosted by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, receiving the Prime Minister's Award.

This evaluation focused on the positive ripple effects on the local economy, such as corporate employment activation and sales increase, achieved through the promotion of regionally specialized projects. Qualitative indicators such as local government efforts in project promotion, network establishment, and brand awareness were also reviewed.

The district was honored to be officially recognized for its performance and project achievements by being selected as one of the final 12 excellent special zones among about 190 local governments nationwide.

Based on abundant medical resources and diverse tourism infrastructure within the region, the district has strived to revitalize and strengthen medical tourism capabilities by establishing a one-stop medical tourism service information center, building a multilingual website, operating special zone promotion booths linked to local festivals, and signing an MOU with the Mongolian Ministry of Health?the first among local governments.

Additionally, collaboration with the Yeongdeungpo Women's Human Resources Development Center to operate a medical tourism professional training course that leads to employment received high praise from the evaluation committee.

Since being designated as a Smart Medical Special Zone in 2017, the district laid the legal and practical foundation for operating the medical special zone by establishing a dedicated team in 2018 and enacting related ordinances.

Subsequently, by forming a medical tourism council and a working-level task force, the district has actively engaged in the medical special zone industry by fostering professional manpower and establishing a public-private cooperation system, striving to leap forward as a Yeongdeungpo-type specialized medical tourism city.

As a result, the number of foreign patients visiting Yeongdeungpo increased remarkably from 6,578 in 2018 to 19,237 in 2019, nearly tripling.

Mayor Cha Hyun-il of Yeongdeungpo-gu stated, “This award is a meaningful achievement made possible through the deep interest and support of the residents and continuous collaboration with related medical institutions in the Yeongdeungpo Smart Medical Special Zone,” adding, “We will do our best to attract foreign patients for Yeongdeungpo to advance as an international medical tourism hub city.”

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