[Column] What Is Needed Now for the Relocation of Geochang Red Cross Hospital?

I was appalled by the April 25 local news article, which addressed an issue directly linked to regional survival and described as a once-in-a-century opportunity. Even from the perspective of press freedom, which is guaranteed for the public good, the content is incomprehensible. I have many questions about the article’s intent, direction, and timing. Before issuing an official response, I am submitting this rebuttal.

1. It has seriously deviated from the greater cause of regional development.

In March 2023, Geochang County and the Korean Red Cross signed an agreement to divide responsibilities: Geochang County would handle site development, while the Red Cross would handle the hospital relocation. They agreed to resolve essential medical service issues in the region as soon as possible.

This agreement is a follow-up measure to the government's decision to expand public hospitals in the Geochang medical service area (Geochang, Hamyang, Hapcheon) based on the classification of 70 nationwide medical service districts. Among these 70 districts, the Geochang medical service area is the only one without a general hospital, and the project is being pursued in consideration of its status as a medically underserved area with a lack of healthcare provision.

Nearby cities with populations of around 1.5 million, such as Daejeon and Gwangju, have balanced healthcare delivery systems, including tertiary hospitals, general hospitals, smaller hospitals, and clinics. Their situation is fundamentally different from that of the Geochang medical service area.

Is it really reasonable to question, given the low population, our ability to operate, the need for a general hospital, or the appropriateness of the number of beds? Even Seoul National University Hospital runs hundreds of billions of won in deficits annually. Such criticisms may appear rational at first glance, but they overlook the fact that this is a public hospital. These points only serve to demoralize us and invite defeat. It is time for Geochang to hold its head high.

The tireless efforts of Hadong County to improve its own medically underserved status should serve as a lesson. Hadong County has invested 34.5 billion won and concentrated its administrative and financial resources for years to build a public health center with 7 departments and 40 beds—half the size of the current Geochang Red Cross Hospital.

It must be made clear that the project subject to the preliminary feasibility study (hereinafter, "pre-feasibility study") is the relocation and new construction of Geochang Red Cross Hospital. The Red Cross Hospital is a core facility within the Medical Welfare Town, but it is by no means a separate project. The public postpartum care center, Childcare Dream Center, and other facilities are unrelated to the pre-feasibility study and are each separate projects.

2. Lack of understanding of the basic protocol for pre-feasibility study projects

A project becomes subject to a pre-feasibility study if it involves more than 30 billion won in national funds and a total project cost of over 50 billion won. The procedures are as follows: ① Application ② Selection ③ Investigation ④ Feasibility analysis. Steps ②, ③, and ④ are overseen by the Ministry of Planning and Budget, while ① is overseen by individual central ministries.

One common requirement at all stages is resolving the site issue—whether the site has been secured and how far the process has progressed. Without site resolution, projects to attract national funding are deprioritized and cannot even apply for the pre-feasibility study. This is especially true for public hospitals.

The ministry in charge at the application stage (①) is the Ministry of Health and Welfare. To gain priority, each local government engages in fierce competition from this early stage. Local medical centers run by city and provincial governments, as well as Red Cross hospitals under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, are the main competitors. Geochang Red Cross Hospital competed for priority with local medical centers in Seoul, Incheon, Ulsan, Jeonnam, Gangwon, and Red Cross hospitals in Sangju and Tongyeong. Medical conditions, site acquisition, and administrative procedures are the main evaluation criteria.

At the selection stage (②), the project must pass the deliberation of the Fiscal Project Evaluation Committee within the Ministry of Planning and Budget. Deliberations focus on feasibility, scale, medical conditions, site acquisition, and administrative procedures. Geochang Red Cross Hospital was selected in August 2024. In the investigation stage (③), the Ministry of Planning and Budget typically designates KDI or similar organizations as the implementing agency. For non-metropolitan construction projects, economic feasibility accounts for 30-45%, policy relevance for 25-40%, and regional balanced development for 30-40% of the evaluation.

For steps ① to ③, the Ministry of Planning and Budget specifies that the standard for reflecting site development plans is "after implementation plan approval." The Medical Welfare Town received implementation plan approval on August 27, 2025, and is proceeding to subsequent stages.

3. A call to resolve regional issues beyond political advantage or disadvantage

About a month ago, I met twice with Kim Taekyung, a Democratic Party provincial assembly candidate, and Shin Mijeong, a county council member. I have also been in constant communication with the office of Shin Seongbeom, Chair of the Intelligence Committee, continuously persuading the central government to pass the pre-feasibility study.

The purpose of these meetings was to request cooperation in solving the region’s biggest challenge, stating, "It is difficult if political interests take precedence. Please join us in resolving this top regional issue." Both former and current assembly members agreed with the intent, promised to take an active role, and said they would raise the issue with the central party as a top priority. They have continued to update me on their activities since then.

There are problems that cannot be easily solved even if individuals, political parties, or regions work together. These include regional extinction, life-and-death issues, and problems involving the elderly, youth, and childbirth. Historically, although the strategy of vertical alliances (Lianheng) defeated horizontal alliances (Hezong) and unified the Warring States era, in reality, integration rarely triumphs over division. Nevertheless, "difficult" does not mean "impossible," and so there is no room for giving up.

4. Nowhere in the article is there any concern for regional healthcare or development

Issues raised in the article—such as "procedural backtracking, project decision structure, responsible parties, uncertainty, number of beds, operation, proceeding with the project before securing funding, and issues to be resolved before the pre-feasibility study"—are all topics that are discussed and included during the pre-feasibility study process.

Most of all, it is disappointing that the article does not address what the region must do to pass the pre-feasibility study.

Frankly, I feel a sense of inadequacy. Despite providing numerous press releases and attending meetings with town and village leaders to inform residents, it seems the message has not fully reached them. If even the media, which has relatively high access to information, has not been convinced, then as the person in charge of project implementation, much of the blame lies with me.

Knowing the cooperation and support received from those who cannot be named for improving medical vulnerabilities, I feel disheartened. However, as this is a time when every ounce of strength must be mustered, all I can do is promise to deliver results.

Namyeol Lee, Director of Strategy, Geochang County Office

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