Osan-si Designated Welbom Hospital as a Dedicated Medical Institution for Child Abuse Cases

Osan City in Gyeonggi Province announced on the 22nd that Wellbom Hospital, located in Sucheong-dong, has been newly designated as a 'Saessakjikimi Hospital' (Sprout Guardian Hospital).

'Saessakjikimi Hospital' is a medical institution dedicated to child abuse cases, designated by the city. The designated hospitals are responsible for minimizing the aftereffects on abused children and supporting their development and growth.

Lee Gwon-jae (left), Mayor of Osan, and Jin Se-yoon, Director of Welbom Hospital, are holding up the business agreement for the designation of Saessakjikim Hospital.
[Photo by Osan City]

This designation was promoted by Mayor Lee Gwon-jae during the 8th term of the civilian government to establish a dedicated medical institution for child abuse in the northern region. Currently, in Osan, Saessakjikimi Hospitals have been operating only in the southern region at three locations: Osan Hanguk Hospital, Seoul Children's Hospital, and Haengbokjuneui Clinic.

With this new designation, the city will cover medical expenses for examinations and treatments for children suspected of being abused or who have been abused. At Wellbom Hospital, when a child abuse-dedicated public official requests medical care for a suspected or confirmed abused child, the hospital will cooperate to allow medical examinations and treatments without the accompaniment of guardians. The hospital will also provide medical consultation on circumstantial evidence of abused children and support child abuse prevention and reporting tasks, including the identification of children at risk.

Wellbom Hospital was designated last year as a Dalbit Children's Hospital along with Seoul Children's Hospital. Accordingly, it is expected that this hospital will improve medical accessibility for abused children during late-night hours and holidays.

Meanwhile, in June, the city collaborated with the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) to establish safe accommodations for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Since February, a joint response team has also been operating with the Osan Police Station to support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Mayor Lee Gwon-jae stated, "We will do our best to discover and support children in crisis by strengthening the organic medical cooperation system with Saessakjikimi Hospitals."