Seoul City to Build Children's Hospital in Gwangjin-gu... First Healthcare Facility from Public Redevelopment Contributions

Public Contribution in Jayang 5 Redevelopment Promotion Zone
Reduced Initial Investment Eases City’s Financial Burden
Hospital for Mild to Moderate Pediatric and Adolescent Care

A children's hospital will be established near Guui Station on Seoul Subway Line 2. As the first healthcare facility to be provided by Seoul City through public redevelopment contributions, it is expected to help expand pediatric and adolescent medical services in the northern part of Seoul.

On November 28, Seoul City announced that it had finalized the plan to build a 'Children's Hospital' within the Jayang 5 Redevelopment Promotion Zone in Gwangjin-gu, following a recent review by the Urban Redevelopment Committee.

A bird's-eye view of the 'Children's Hospital' to be built in Jayang 5 Redevelopment Promotion Zone, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Seoul City

This project is being recognized as a new model for utilizing public contributions. The Jayang 5 Zone Children's Hospital will serve as an essential public healthcare foundation for responding to low birth rates and an aging population in northern Seoul. In particular, initial investment costs such as land acquisition and construction expenses will be significantly reduced. This is expected to lessen Seoul City's financial burden and streamline complex administrative procedures, enabling rapid construction.

The children's hospital will be built on a 2,500-square-meter site, with a total floor area of 10,400 square meters across nine floors. It will have approximately 80 beds and feature six departments centered on internal medicine (including pediatrics, pediatric endocrinology, and a 24-hour clinic), with a total of 89 medical staff (including 11 doctors and 21 nurses). However, the construction schedule may be adjusted in line with the progress of the private redevelopment project.

Currently, there is a shortage of children's hospitals in Seoul. There is only one municipal children's hospital under Seoul City for specialized care such as for children with disabilities, and only six government-designated pediatric hospitals and centers.

The plan to build a municipal children's hospital in the northern part of Seoul has faced difficulties due to concerns about business feasibility. During the site selection process, investment reviews were put on hold not only because of feasibility, but also due to poor accessibility for citizens. Preliminary studies at the time estimated the hospital's deficit could reach 8 billion won.

There is also a shortage of pediatric specialists. The number of new board-certified pediatricians, which used to exceed 200, has decreased every year, with only 24 produced this year.

Taking into account the need to secure a hospital site, the shortage of pediatric specialists, and the city's financial burden, Seoul City stated its intention to contribute to the expansion of children's hospitals. Lee Dongryul, Director of the Citizens’ Health Bureau at Seoul City, said, "The Jayang 5 Zone Children's Hospital is the first healthcare facility based on public contributions that will substantially improve citizens’ access to public healthcare," adding, "This is a separate project from the children's hospital planned for the northeastern region, and the construction of the northeastern children's hospital will also continue."