Director of Inje's only hospital recognized for decades of service

Kim Jong-won, director of Inje Korea Hospital, poses after winning the TJ Park Heroes Award at the POSCO Center in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtey of POSCO Group

Kim Jong-won, director of Inje Korea Hospital in Gangwon Province, has been named the first recipient of the TJ Park Heroes Award presented by the POSCO TJ Park Foundation.

The award ceremony was held Wednesday at the POSCO Center in Seoul.

A graduate of Korea University’s College of Medicine, the 60-year-old orthopedic surgeon chose to work in Inje County rather than in larger cities.

His hospital is the county’s only hospital-level medical institution. Under the Korean Medical Service Act, hospitals must have at least 30 beds, while medical institutions with fewer than 30 are classified as clinics.

In the remote county with a population of about 30,000, Kim has cared for residents and saved lives for the past 25 years.

Despite ongoing challenges in recruiting medical personnel, the hospital operates a 24-hour emergency room.

To help financially struggling residents to continue receiving care, the hospital has also reduced costs for treatments not covered by the national health insurance program as much as it can.

In addition, its obstetrics and gynecology department recently began accepting outpatients regardless of profitability.

“Although his work has never been in the spotlight, Kim truly embodies the spirit of TJ Park,” the foundation said in a press release.

According to the foundation, the TJ Park Heroes Award is designed to honor everyday heroes who make meaningful but often unseen contributions to society.

The foundation also separately grants the POSCO TJ Park Prize for Social Services to individuals and organizations that address social issues and support their communities.

Additionally, those who have saved others’ lives in various accidents have been recognized as POSCO Heroes.