Special Corporation 'Guknip Sobang Byeongwon' Designated as a Public Service-Related Organization

Strengthening Public Responsibility Including Mandatory Asset Registration for Executives and Employees

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The National Fire Service Hospital, established as a special corporation in December 2021 to improve the health and welfare of firefighting officials, was designated as a public service-related organization on January 1 of this year, the Fire Agency announced on the 9th.

A public service-related organization refers to an institution or organization designated under Article 3-2 of the Public Officials Ethics Act, which receives financial support from the government or local governments or approval for the appointment of executives, and is subject to the public ethics system. The designation is made by the Government Public Officials Ethics Committee.

With the designation of the National Fire Service Hospital as a public service-related organization, executives and employees, including the hospital director, will be obligated to register assets and comply with employment and conduct restrictions. This is expected to prevent improper accumulation of wealth by hospital staff in advance and ensure fairness in official duties.

Kim Suhwan, Head of the National Fire Service Hospital Establishment Promotion Team at the Fire Agency, said, “The National Fire Service Hospital, established as an independent special corporation, has secured an operational foundation as a public institution from the preparation stage of its opening,” and added, “We will continue to cooperate so that it can serve the public as a public institution even after opening.”

Gwak Youngho, Director of the National Fire Service Hospital, said, “I feel a heavy responsibility as the hospital has been designated as a public service-related organization,” and added, “We will do our best to fulfill the given mission as a public institution and strive to improve the health indicators of firefighting officials and help resolve the medical service gap in the four central counties of Chungcheongbuk-do (Jeungpyeong, Jincheon, Goesan, and Eumseong).”

The National Fire Service Hospital broke ground in December last year in Duseong-ri, Maengdong-myeon, Eumseong-gun, Chungbuk Innovation City, aiming to open in the second half of 2025. It is a general hospital with 302 beds, 19 medical departments, and a total floor area of 39,433㎡ (2 basement floors, 4 above-ground floors). Currently, the Fire Agency and the entrusted operator, Seoul National University Hospital, are cooperating to prepare for the opening.