Hanam City: "Wirye General Medical Facility Should Become a Public Healthcare Hub Beyond Administrative Boundaries"

Hanam City Submits Proposal to Ministry of Health and Welfare
"Songpa Wirye Hospital Should Serve All Residents"

Hanam City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Lee Hyunjae) has stated that the general medical facility being planned for the Songpa Wirye Medical Complex Site should be established as a public healthcare facility serving all residents of Wirye New Town, not limited to a specific local government.

A view of Hanam City Hall. Provided by Hanam City

Hanam City recently submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health and Welfare regarding the "Songpa Wirye Medical Complex Site Development Project," requesting that the planned general medical facility be reviewed to ensure it can meaningfully improve healthcare accessibility for all residents of Wirye New Town.

Wirye New Town spans Hanam City, Seongnam City, and Songpa District. Although the administrative districts are divided, the area functions as a single living zone in terms of housing, transportation, and daily life. However, there has been ongoing criticism that the entire Wirye New Town lacks a general medical facility, resulting in structural limitations for residents in accessing essential medical services such as emergency care and treatment for serious illnesses.

Hanam City believes that the construction of a general medical facility at the Songpa District Wirye Medical Complex Site could be a crucial opportunity to address this healthcare gap. However, the city also expressed concerns that if the facility serves only residents of a specific administrative district, it could create another healthcare disparity within Wirye New Town.

Accordingly, Hanam City emphasized in its proposal that the general medical facility must serve as public healthcare infrastructure for all residents across Wirye New Town.

In particular, the city stressed that the following must be included: the establishment of an emergency medical center to provide prompt emergency services; the securing of medical facilities and specialized personnel capable of treating serious illnesses; and the development of equipment and operational systems to reliably handle essential medical fields.

A Hanam City official stated, "The general medical facility demanded by Wirye New Town residents is not simply a hospital in name, but a facility with public responsibility and functions that can genuinely safeguard the lives and health of local residents," adding, "We hope the Ministry of Health and Welfare will make a reasonable decision by comprehensively considering local conditions and residents' needs."