The construction of a complex to host high-quality medical facilities and attract foreign patients from around the world kicked off in Jeju on Tuesday.
According to the Jeju Free International City Development Center, the 1.5 square-kilometer Jeju Healthcare Town project to be completed by 2014 will cater to both leisure and medical needs with top-quality services.
“If the Healthcare Town project is successful, the nation’s medical industry is expected to become a growth engine and the Jeju economy will be further vitalized,” said Byon Jong-il, chairman of Jeju Free International City Development Center, during the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday.
 |
Jeju Gov. Woo Keun-min (from left), Minister of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Kwon Do-youp, Jeju Free International City Development Center Chairman Byon Jong-il and Rep. Kim Jae-yun of the Democratic United Party celebrate the ground-breaking of the Jeju Healthcare Town in Seogwipo, Jeju, Tuesday. (Yonhap News) |
Those attending the ceremony included Kwon Do-youp, minister of land, transport and maritime affairs, Woo Keun-min, governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, local lawmakers, heads of local agencies and representatives from the medical industry.
The complex adjoins Jeju’s Second Sanrok Road for easy transportation access. Mount Miak is behind the complex, which also overlooks Seogwipo Sea.
It consists of three major facilities. Wellness Park, a resort and medical service complex focused on healthcare and recreation, includes condominiums, the Thalasso Resortel water park and Wellness Mall. Medical Park, a complex that provides advanced medical services, features healthcare centers, specialized hospitals and long-term care facilities. R&D Park is a site for medical research of bio-medicines, anti-aging and rehabilitation.
JDC signed a memorandum of understanding with Greenland Group of China last December to build a medical R&D center, recreational and cultural facilities and accommodation on a 1 square kilometer area with an investment of 1 trillion won ($870 million). Seoul National University Hospital also inked an MOU in April 2008, and is considering operating rehabilitation and medical check-up centers.
“We still have more to achieve. The healthcare town is one of six core projects of the JDC. We have Science Park, Global Education City, Resort-type Residential Complex, Seogwipo Tourism Port and the Myths and History Theme Park. They will all contribute to upgrading the level of Jeju,” Byon said.
By Bae Ji-sook (
baejisook@heraldcorp.com)
