An international medical center will open in Yeouido, Seoul, in August next year, as part of steps to develop the financial district of the capital into an international financial hub.

Seoul Metropolitan Government signed a memorandum of understanding with the Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital on Wednesday to establish the center and improve access to medical care for foreign patients there.

The medical facilities will provide foreign language services. Medical staff there will fully guide foreign patients from registration to consultation to treatment.

Under the accord, Seoul City will promote the center and support its emergency medical services, while Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital will start its medical service for foreign patients from October to coincide with the opening of Seoul International Financial Center in Yeouido.

The center will be located on the second floor of the hospital, with its area encompassing 100 square meters. It will be staffed with medical doctors and coordinators specializing in foreign patients, and they will offer services in English, Chinese, Japanese and Russian.

“Seoul has tried to create a comfortable living environment for foreigners in Yeouido after the area was designated as the financial hub last January,” said Shin Myun-ho, official for the city’s economic promotion.

“We hope the MOU will be able to enhance the living standard up to reputation as an international financial center.”

There are 14 hospitals that provide foreign language services and medical staff for expats in Seoul, including Seoul National University Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Severance Hospital and Kyunghee University Medical Center.
By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)