[New Year's Address] Yoon Dong-seop, Yonsei Medical Center Director: "Overcoming Severe and Intractable Diseases, Building a Robust 'Medical Cluster'"

Yoon Dong-seop, Director of Yonsei Medical Center.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] On the 2nd, Yoon Dong-seop, Vice President of Medical Affairs at Yonsei University and Director of Yonsei Medical Center, expressed his commitment in his New Year's address to strengthening the 'advanced medical system' to overcome severe and intractable diseases and to building a robust 'medical cluster' preparing for the next-generation medical environment.

Director Yoon stated, "Yonsei Medical Center is truly a proud institution with an even more promising tomorrow," adding, "The upcoming year 2023 will undoubtedly be a year demonstrating growth and development achievements."

He emphasized the challenge of conquering severe and intractable diseases. Yonsei Medical Center will fully launch 'carbon ion therapy' this year. Carbon ion therapy, expected to more than double the survival rate of intractable cancers, will be introduced by Yonsei Medical Center for the first time in Korea.

Alongside this, the introduction of digital healthcare will accelerate to strengthen the medical imaging information delivery system, and by securing high-quality data throughout the entire cycle from diagnosis to treatment, the realization of data-driven precision medicine will be expedited.

The construction of the medical cluster will also be accelerated. To this end, the design for the new medical school building has begun, and Gangnam Severance Hospital has started the 'Phase 0' groundbreaking for the construction of a new hospital. Yongin Severance Hospital has begun preparations aiming for designation as a tertiary general hospital, and Songdo Severance Hospital has also entered full-scale construction.

Director Yoon said, "With the goal of nurturing the best talent in Korea and designing optimal spaces for this purpose, we will further enhance the university's competitiveness," adding, "Yonsei Medical Center will become the hub establishing the nation's top-level medical infrastructure connecting Sinchon, Gangnam, Yongin, and Songdo."

He also promised the continuous practice of 'people-centered management.' Director Yoon stated, "The greatest asset and pride of Yonsei Medical Center is, above all, its 'talent,'" and added, "We will care for the hearts of faculty and staff and create a healthy working environment and a workplace atmosphere where people want to work."