'Medical Zone' to Operate at Yeoksam Station on Line 2 and Jongno 3-ga Station on Line 3 Starting the 14th

Operating 365 Days Including Night Hours to Expand Citizen Medical Access... Clinics and Pharmacies Inside Subway Stations

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul Metro announced on the 13th that the Metro Medical Zone, consisting of clinics and pharmacies within certain spaces in subway stations, will begin operations on the 14th at Yeoksam Station and Jongno 3-ga Station.

The Medical Zone will operate every day from 9:30 AM to 8:00 PM, including weekends, 365 days a year without holidays. Passengers who feel unwell while using the subway or those returning home after most hospitals' operating hours can conveniently access medical services.

The allowance for clinics and pharmacies to open within subway stations is a recent development. In December 2020, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that type 1 neighborhood living facilities, including clinics and pharmacies, could open within subway stations. Since then, the number of clinics and pharmacies inside subway stations has steadily increased, with 4 clinics and 30 pharmacies operating as of June 30.

The Medical Zone was created to meet the demand from doctors and pharmacists who focus on the daily transportation population exceeding 7 million people and the numerous potential customers around subway stations, as well as the need to improve medical accessibility for subway users. Additionally, Seoul Metro ensured medical expertise was not compromised during the Medical Zone bidding process. Only individuals currently licensed as doctors or pharmacists can participate in the competitive bidding for the Medical Zone. When bidding as a corporation, the corporate representative must hold a doctor or pharmacist license.

Seoul Metro plans to establish convenient medical service spaces throughout the subway system across Seoul. Starting with Hapjeong Station on Line 6 on the 18th, additional Medical Zone lease contract bids will be held for stations including Myeonmok Station, Hakdong Station, and Jangseungbaegi Station on Line 7. Subsequent Medical Zone projects will also limit participation to operators licensed as doctors or pharmacists to ensure professional expertise. Furthermore, bidding schedules will be separated by station to allow interested medical professionals to participate as freely as possible.

Jung Sun-in, Head of the New Growth Division, stated, “After regulatory reform efforts to allow clinics to operate within subway stations, we were able to proceed with the Medical Zone project. We will continue to expand the project steadily to enhance citizens’ health welfare and convenience while also striving to generate revenue for the corporation.”

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