[New Year's Address] Kim Yeonsu, Director of Seoul National University Hospital, "Ensuring Full Securing of Severe Care Beds... Promoting Medical Normalization"

[Asia Economy Reporter Myunghwan Lee] Kim Yeonsu, director of Seoul National University Hospital, stated at the beginning of the new year, "We will promote the normalization of medical services by expanding general medical functions compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, while also making every effort to secure critical care beds in preparation for the increase in new infectious disease outbreaks as a national central hospital."

In his New Year's address on the 1st, Director Kim emphasized, "In the new year, Seoul National University Hospital plans to concentrate all capabilities on the construction of Baegot Seoul National University Hospital and Busan Gijang Cancer Center, as well as the successful opening of the National Fire Service Hospital," adding, "We will maximize efficiency and cooperation in carrying out education, research, medical treatment, and public healthcare."

Director Kim expressed his determination to strengthen the research sector along with customized education for the new year. He said, "As the cradle of domestic medicine and the best teaching hospital, we will implement tailored education to promote harmony across generations, occupations, and ranks in response to environmental changes," and added, "In the research sector, we plan to reorganize the nurturing system and organizational structure and operate a new system." Furthermore, he stated, "We aim to implement an advanced intelligent research DB system and reorganize the Biomedical Research Institute to enhance research and development capabilities by establishing a new Research Planning Headquarters."

He also revealed his commitment to strengthening the foundation of public healthcare. He emphasized, "In the public sector, to contribute to national development and citizens' happiness, we will successfully establish the ongoing public clinical professor system to lead the substantial growth and development of local medical systems," and added, "We plan to create a safe foundation for public healthcare that the public can trust and feel secure about."

Plans for the development of affiliated hospitals were also announced. Director Kim stated, "Bundang Hospital, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, will strengthen its connection with advanced medical systems to expand its capabilities as a leader of future hospitals," and explained, "Boramae Hospital aims to further enhance its public healthcare functions for Seoul citizens through the establishment of a Safe Respiratory Specialist Center and the construction of an underground connection passage for the light rail."

He also mentioned the environmental improvement construction projects scheduled for the new year. Director Kim said, "At the start of the new year, important projects are planned, including the completion of the Comprehensive Medical Support Building, environmental improvement of the underground parking lot, and the integrated relocation of faculty research offices and administrative departments to the nearby Hyundai Group Building due to ward environment improvements," adding, "Although the ongoing COVID-19 disaster situation and the environmental construction are expected to cause inconvenience to visitors, making it a challenging reality in many ways, as a national central hospital, we must be thorough in ensuring patient safety and public health."

Finally, Director Kim concluded, "Seoul National University Hospital will continue to fulfill its social mission inherited from Jejungwon for national development and citizens' happiness."