Hampyeong Seongsim Hospital Designated as Drug Testing Center for Foreign Workers

Aerial view of Hampyeong County Office.

Hampyeong County in South Jeolla Province announced on May 14 that Seongsim Hospital has been designated as a medical institution authorized to conduct drug tests for foreign seasonal workers.

Previously, there were no designated medical institutions for drug testing in Hampyeong County, so foreign seasonal workers had to undergo testing at hospitals in nearby areas such as Gwangju.

Additionally, the county’s subsidy of 20,000 won per person for testing foreign seasonal workers was paid to hospitals in other regions, resulting in ongoing burdens of time, cost, and inconvenience.

With this new designation, Seongsim Hospital in Hampyeong can now conduct drug screening tests (urine and blood), which is expected to shorten the average time required for foreigner registration and employment transfer processes by more than two hours.

Furthermore, seasonal workers invited through marriage immigration can also conveniently receive testing within the region, significantly reducing the burdens on both employers and administrative agencies.

Hampyeong County has been actively introducing and operating the foreign seasonal worker system to address the chronic labor shortages in rural and fishing communities, and expects that the designation of this testing hospital will further enhance the effectiveness of its policies.

A representative from Seongsim Hospital stated, "As a designated medical institution for drug testing, we will contribute to the local community by providing accurate and prompt testing with a strong sense of responsibility."

Lee Sangik, the governor of Hampyeong County, said, "I am pleased that institutional improvements utilizing the local medical infrastructure can benefit both residents and farmers," adding, "We will continue to create a healthy and sustainable rural community through proactive administration that reflects the voices of our residents."