Ministry of Health and Welfare and Ministry of National Defense Agree on Construction and Relocation of National Medical Center to US Military Site in Seoul

The current site of the National Medical Center in Bangsan-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul (red mark on the right in the photo) and the new site to be relocated to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers site (blue mark on the left)

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of National Defense signed a business agreement on the 6th to build and relocate the National Medical Center to the site of the Far East Engineer Battalion in Jung-gu, Seoul.

This site was returned to our government from the U.S. military last month. The National Medical Center initially planned to relocate to Wonji-dong, Seocho-gu, but the process did not proceed smoothly, and last year, following a proposal from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the direction was changed to this location. It is currently right next to the National Medical Center. The new site is about 1.5 times larger than the current site.

After reconstruction and relocation, it will serve as a genuine central infectious disease specialized hospital. Although the National Medical Center is currently designated as a central infectious disease hospital, there have been many criticisms that this is nominal only. The new hospital to be built will include 100 negative pressure beds and will oversee inpatient treatment of severe infectious disease patients, regional infectious disease specialized hospitals, and perform a pivotal role in the national infectious disease response, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

Taking this agreement as an opportunity, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of National Defense plan to complete the land acquisition process as quickly as possible. It will be converted to paid management under the State Property Act. The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that it will actively discuss changes to urban management plans with the Seoul Metropolitan Government to ensure the National Medical Center can relocate smoothly.

Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol said, "This agreement will mark the end of the relocation project that has been underway since 2003 and will serve as an opportunity to advance the national public healthcare system to the next level." Minister of National Defense Seo Wook said, "The military will mobilize all resources to support the whole-of-government efforts to overcome the COVID-19 crisis."

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