The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_X_on_2023.svgbt_X_over_2023.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Song Ji-hyo to make silver screen return in 'House of Meeting'

  • 3

    Seoul says FEOC guidance reduces uncertainty, will continue close consultation with US

  • 5

    5 Korea tourism clips top 225 mil. views

  • 7

    Yoon accepts resignation offer of head of state broadcasting watchdog

  • 9

    Is ruling party's reform drive at end of road?

  • 11

    INTERVIEWHip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup

  • 13

    Late Ven. Jaseung's additional notes on last will found at his residence

  • 15

    DL, SPC chiefs apologize for worker deaths under poor labor conditions

  • 17

    Crackdown on illegal short selling takes priority over MSCI listing: FSC vice chair

  • 19

    Cabinet passes motion requesting parliamentary reconsideration of 'yellow envelope bill'

  • 2

    N. Korean leader calls for increased aerial combat posture amid tension over satellite launch

  • 4

    First S. Korea spy satellite successfully launched into orbit

  • 6

    Tension mounts between Yoon administration, opposition party

  • 8

    Nexon workers in conflict with umbrella union over stance on feminism

  • 10

    Daegu mayor criticizes officials for spreading false hope about Expo bid

  • 12

    Life expectancy of Koreans falls for first time in 52 years over COVID-19: data

  • 14

    Rights activists criticize wage discrimination against migrant boat crews

  • 16

    Yoon's state visit to Netherlands to focus on semiconductor cooperation

  • 18

    Hyundai chief pledges to support globalization of archery

  • 20

    US slaps additional sanctions against N. Korea in response to spy satellite launch

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
Sun, December 3, 2023 | 04:51
Thoughts of the Times
Korean National Medical Center
Posted : 2014-04-10 17:04
Updated : 2014-04-10 17:04
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
By Choe Chong-dae

Hospitals have played a major role in the improvement of health. The development of hospitals in our society is closely associated with religion and war.

The history of medicine recounts that priests and physicians treated patients in temples even before medieval times. Military hospital appeared in ancient Rome in the wake of war.

Korea's first modern medical facility is "Gwanghyewon" established by Horace N. Allen, a U.S Protestant medical missionary and diplomat, in 1885. Later called "Jejungwon", it was renamed "Severance Hospital" in 1904 that later morphed into Yonsei University's medical system.

Having unique ties with representatives of the Scandinavian nations of Denmark, Norway and Sweden over decades, I am particularly interested in the Korean National Medical Center that was jointly established by these three nations.

At the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, the three Scandinavian nations dispatched medical units from their respective militaries to Korea to establish field hospitals around battle fronts.

The Danish medical ship "Jutlandia" was deployed in Busan. Norway's Mobile Army Surgical Hospital was set up in Dongducheon and Sweden operated a red-cross hospital in Busan till armistice in 1953.

I was encouraged by their humanitarian contribution which provided medical assistance to tens of thousands of war causalities, both soldiers and civilians.

Following cessation of the fighting, the Scandinavian nations, the United Nations and the Korean government jointly established the National Medical Center, a modern hospital complex in the heart of Seoul in 1958. Its purpose was to improve medical services for the public and to raise overall medical standards in the war-torn country.

Although the hospital was handed over to the Korean authorities in 1968, it received Scandinavian assistance until 1971. Furthermore, the Scandinavian nations adopted a great number of Korean orphans and educated them in their nations.

At that time, the National Medical Center operated by the Scandinavian medical team was Korea's leading hospital with the most advanced medical facilities and equipment.

As a result, it played an important role in improving national health by preventing the spread of communicable diseases at low cost, particularly among underprivileged people.

To honor Scandinavia's contribution to Korea, the Korean government established the Korean-Scandinavian Foundation in 1967 in order to improve medical services and cultural exchanges.

The Scandinavian Club, Korea's first Scandinavian restaurant with a "Smorgasbord" buffet was opened in the hospital in 1958 for the Scandinavian Mission's dining room and bar.

It was beloved by both Scandinavians and Koreans and served the public until it closed in 2012. A memorial with the three Scandinavian flags was erected in the hospital.

I am disheartened to learn that the Korean government has chosen to move the hospital from its present location, Eulji-ro 6-ga, Jung-gu, to Wonji-dong, Seocho-gu, in southern Seoul.

The councils of Jung-gu, Jongno-gu, Seongdong-gu, Dongdaemoon-gu and Seongbuk-gu, in northern Seoul, neighboring the hospital, have jointly protested against the government's decision to relocate the hospital.

They are very concerned that if the hospital is closed and not replaced with a comparable advanced medical facility to serve them, over five million Seoul residents will face a serious medical vacuum.

In consideration of the appeal of the five Districts' inhabitants and Scandinavia's devotion to the hospital, the Korean government should reconsider its plan to relocate the hospital.

I wish that the National Medical Center would fulfill its role as a model public medical institution in its current location after it is refurbished and installed with the most technologically advanced equipment.

Choe Chong-dae is a guest columnist of The Korea Times and the president of Dae-kwang International Co., as well as a director of the Korean-Swedish Association. He can be reached at dkic98@chol.com.

 
wooribank
LG group
Top 10 Stories
15 Korea tourism clips top 225 mil. views 5 Korea tourism clips top 225 mil. views
2Tension mounts between Yoon administration, opposition partyTension mounts between Yoon administration, opposition party
3Nexon workers in conflict with umbrella union over stance on feminism Nexon workers in conflict with umbrella union over stance on feminism
4Is ruling party's reform drive at end of road? Is ruling party's reform drive at end of road?
5Daegu mayor criticizes officials for spreading false hope about Expo bid Daegu mayor criticizes officials for spreading false hope about Expo bid
6Rights activists criticize wage discrimination against migrant boat crews Rights activists criticize wage discrimination against migrant boat crews
7DL, SPC chiefs apologize for worker deaths under poor labor conditions DL, SPC chiefs apologize for worker deaths under poor labor conditions
8Crackdown on illegal short selling takes priority over MSCI listing: FSC vice chair Crackdown on illegal short selling takes priority over MSCI listing: FSC vice chair
9Hyundai chief pledges to support globalization of archery Hyundai chief pledges to support globalization of archery
102023 Korea-EU CSO Network Human Rights Conference to emphasize diversity, practice inclusivity 2023 Korea-EU CSO Network Human Rights Conference to emphasize diversity, practice inclusivity
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] Hip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup INTERVIEWHip-hop group Uptown returns after 13 years with new lineup
2ONE PACT debuts hoping to leave big impact on K-pop scene ONE PACT debuts hoping to leave big impact on K-pop scene
3[INTERVIEW] ASTRO members aim to shine in musical theaterINTERVIEWASTRO members aim to shine in musical theater
4'Our Season' director, veteran actor discuss creating relatable mother-daughter story 'Our Season' director, veteran actor discuss creating relatable mother-daughter story
5December brings mix of action, thriller, romance to small screen December brings mix of action, thriller, romance to small screen
DARKROOM
  • It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

    It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

  • 2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

    2023 Thanksgiving parade in NYC

  • Appreciation of autumn colors

    Appreciation of autumn colors

  • Our children deserve better

    Our children deserve better

  • Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

    Israel-Gaza conflict erupts into war

  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel: 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844
Date of registration: 2020.02.05
Masthead: The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group