Seoul Metropolitan Council Appoints Kim Hyeyoung as Chairperson of Medical Tourism Special Committee

The Seoul Metropolitan Council Medical Tourism Special Committee held its first meeting on July 18 and officially launched, appointing Councilor Kim Hyeyoung (People Power Party, Gwangjin 4) as chairperson, the council announced on July 21.

Commemorative photo after the 1st meeting of the Seoul Metropolitan Council Medical Tourism Special Committee. Provided by Seoul Metropolitan Council.

Medical tourism is a high value-added future strategic industry that combines advanced medical technology to provide foreign patients with integrated medical services, tourism, culture, and leisure. Although Seoul possesses world-class medical services and Korean Wave tourism resources, there have been ongoing criticisms that its medical tourism competitiveness lags behind that of Singapore and Thailand.

Accordingly, the Medical Tourism Special Committee plans to actively seek policy development and institutional improvements to strengthen the competitiveness of Seoul's medical tourism industry, expand private sector cooperation, and establish medical tourism governance measures.

Chairperson Kim Hyeyoung stated, "Seoul is the center of medical tourism in Korea, attracting about 80% of foreign patients, and it is urgent to establish institutional and policy foundations suitable for this status." She added, "The Medical Tourism Special Committee will serve as a central pillar in identifying issues across the related industry and leading discussions on effective policy measures."

The Medical Tourism Special Committee is comprised of 15 members: Chairperson Kim Hyeyoung (Gwangjin 4) and People Power Party councilors Ko Kwangmin (Seocho 3), Kim Kilyoung (Gangnam 6), Kim Yongho (Yongsan 1), Kim Taesu (Seongbuk 4), Kim Hyeongjae (Gangnam 2), Ok Jaeun (Jung 2), Lee Sanguk (Proportional), Lee Jongbae (Proportional), Lee Jonghwan (Gangbuk 1), and Hwang Cheolgyu (Seongdong 4); as well as Democratic Party councilors Park Kangsan (Proportional), Aisuru (Proportional), Woo Hyeongchan (Yangcheon 3), and Han Shin (Seongbuk 1).

The Medical Tourism Special Committee announced that it will conduct two on-site inspections of Seoul's medical tourism industry within the year, directly visiting medical sites and reflecting the voices from the field in institutional improvements through interviews with stakeholders and experts.