Diary of Mincho's Health Care Becomes Cultural Heritage

Three Medical Records of the Late Dr. Lee Young-chun Registered as National Cultural Heritage
Annual Free Medical Care for 30,000 Farmers... House Calls Across Jeollado Region

Dr. Lee Young-chun [Photo by Lee Young-chun Memorial Association]

Dr. Lee Young-chun (1903?1980) of Ssangcheon (雙泉) was the first Korean to earn a doctoral degree in medicine. Immediately after liberation, he established Gaejeong Central Hospital in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, dedicating himself to treating farmers. He believed that the nation could only progress if rural areas were healthy. He brought about a major innovation in medical services by additionally founding Hwaho Central Hospital, Gaejeong Nursing School, Rural Hygiene Research Institute, and Gaejeong Health Center.

Dreaming of transforming rural society, he also devoted efforts to education. He established Ilsim Orphanage and Ilmaek Orphanage to care for abandoned children and introduced the first school infirmary to protect students' health.

His exceptional love for neighbors dates back to 1935 when he was appointed director of the medical office at Kumamoto Farm Clinic (Jaehye Clinic) in Gunsan. From the following year, Dr. Lee treated 30,000 farmers annually. He traveled throughout the Jeolla region, making house calls. Therefore, when hiring nurses, he tested their bicycle riding skills. All medical fees were completely free. He brought hope to suffering commoners and led the end of the old regime.

He also improved agricultural productivity through a scientific approach. At that time, human feces were used as fertilizer in farming. The slow fermentation process often led to infestations of parasites and pathogens, ruining crops and causing diseases among farmers. Dr. Lee personally funded the construction of cement fermentation tanks. By facilitating smoother fermentation, he increased harvest yields while protecting farmers' health.

Through the Rural Hygiene Research Institute, Dr. Lee identified various health issues. He conducted surveys on rural society and farmers' overall living conditions. He published forty-seven research papers, narrowing the gap between theory and reality to provide tailored medical benefits and improve impoverished living environments.

Rural Hygiene Research Institute Journal

The medical records that served as clues to this are managed at the national level. On the 7th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced that three records?the ‘Jaehye Clinic Log,’ ‘Gaejeong Central Hospital Log,’ and ‘Rural Hygiene Research Institute Log’?will be preserved and managed as Registered National Cultural Heritage.

The Jaehye Clinic Log is a record written after Dr. Lee was appointed director of the clinic, documenting treatment of over 20,000 tenant farmers (about 3,000 households) at Kumamoto Farm. The Gaejeong Central Hospital Log contains medical records for inpatients and surgical patients who were difficult to treat at the clinic. It provides insights into the health status and medical conditions of rural residents at the time.

The Rural Hygiene Research Institute Log offers a glimpse into the activities of rural hygiene projects. These projects were preventive measures to protect farmers’ health from parasites, tuberculosis, infectious diseases, and other widespread issues in rural society. It is considered a rare example of a rural public health system established before the formal medical infrastructure was built. A Cultural Heritage Administration official explained, "It holds precious value as a historical record of public health medical services."

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