Seoul Jung-gu Actively Welcomes Return of Far East Engineer Battalion Site... Anticipates Swift Relocation of National Medical Center

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Jung-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Seo Yang-ho) announced on the 11th that it actively welcomes the government's announcement to reclaim 12 US military bases stationed in Korea.

Among the returned US military sites, the Far East Engineer Battalion site located in Bangsan-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul, has been the site since the end of April where the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul City, and Jung-gu have been jointly promoting the relocation of the National Medical Center to build a 'Central Infectious Disease Specialized Hospital' to respond to new infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

The district expects that the Far East Engineer Battalion site being returned this time, which is adjacent to the current National Medical Center, is the optimal location to perform the function and role of a medical control tower as a central infectious disease specialized hospital, and it can also fill the medical gap in downtown Seoul and the northern region, thereby fully demonstrating its capabilities as a national central public hospital upon relocation and establishment.

Jung-gu actively welcomes the return of US military sites including the Far East Engineer Battalion site in Bangsan-dong, looks forward to the prompt relocation of the National Medical Center, and stated that it will spare no cooperation and support in working together with Seoul City and the Ministry of Health and Welfare for the relocation of the 'National Medical Center' and the establishment of the 'Central Infectious Disease Specialized Hospital.'

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Jung-gu Office Statement on the Return of US Military Sites

Jung-gu actively welcomes the return of the US Engineer Battalion site!

We look forward to the prompt relocation of the National Medical Center!

On the 11th, the government held the 201st Joint Committee of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States via video conference and announced the return of a total of 12 bases, including 11 US military bases and 2 areas of Yongsan Base.

Among the returned sites, the US Far East Engineer Battalion site located in Bangsan-dong, Jung-gu, has been the place since the end of April where the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul City, and Jung-gu have been jointly promoting the relocation of the National Medical Center to build a 'Central Infectious Disease Specialized Hospital' to respond to new infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

The infectious disease situation, which no one could have predicted, has continued for a year.

Although Korea has a solid national quarantine system that has introduced K-quarantine to the world, a national-level medical system must also operate together to prevent infectious diseases spreading worldwide. This is why a 'Central Infectious Disease Specialized Hospital,' the control tower of the medical system, is necessary.

Established in 1958, the National Medical Center in Jung-gu is currently designated and operated as the national central infectious disease hospital, but it is responding to COVID-19 in a poor environment while maintaining the old facilities and scale.

The US Far East Engineer Battalion site being returned this time is adjacent to the National Medical Center and is the optimal location to solve the insufficient medical supply in downtown Seoul and the northern region and to play the role of a medical control tower that can enhance citizens' health and the nation's infectious disease response capabilities.

Therefore, our district actively welcomes the return of US military sites including the Far East Engineer Battalion site in Bangsan-dong and looks forward to the prompt relocation of the National Medical Center. Jung-gu will work together with Seoul City and the Ministry of Health and Welfare and will spare no cooperation and support for the relocation of the 'National Medical Center' and the establishment of the 'Central Infectious Disease Specialized Hospital.'

2020.12.12.

Mayor of Jung-gu, Seoul Special City

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