Jun Ji-hye, a reporter at the finance desk of The Korea Times, focuses primarily on economic policy and government agencies, mainly covering the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the National Tax Service and the Korea Customs Service. She previously covered financial authorities, including the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, and earlier worked on the political, city and business desks, reporting on a wide range of issues.
Veteran doctor treats Marines, residents on front-line island for decade
Doctor Lee Doo-ik poses holding a plaque of appreciation and a cake in front of Baengnyeong Hospital located on South Korea's front-line Baengnyeong Island, Tuesday, after celebrating 10 years of service on the island. Captured from Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's Facebook account
By Jun Ji-hye
Doctor Lee Doo-ik, 76, has offered medical treatment on South Korea's front-line Baengnyeong Island for a decade.
Marines stationed on the island and residents living there held a surprise party to celebrate Lee's 10th anniversary on Tuesday, delivering a plaque of appreciation to him.
Baengnyeong Hospital, headed by Lee, originally opened in 2001, and then was rebuilt and reopened to become a 30-bed hospital in 2014.
After graduating from Kyung Hee University's medical school in 1973, Lee served as a military physician on Baengnyeong Island during his 20s.
He then worked in civilian hospitals and served as the director of Inha University Hospital in Incheon until he retired in 2012.
After he retired, he learned of the reopening of Baengnyeong Hospital and decided to return to the island.
During his 10-year service on the island, he has contributed to establishing remote medical treatment support and patient transfer systems to provide better medical services to people on the island.
In recognition of his dedication, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo sent Lee a handwritten letter Wednesday, saying Lee's commitment is very meaningful, especially at a time when it has become more and more difficult to access essential medical services in isolated regions.
"Lee could have lived more comfortably after his retirement but decided to continue to offer services for patients," Han said in the letter.
"He has cured and protected islanders. We respect doctors as we have people like Lee."