Jeju to open health care town in 2018 　

Jeju Island has unveiled a plan for a Health Care Town, aimed to complete construction by 2018, adding one more reason to visit the hot travel destination.

The Korea Health Industry Development Institute and the Ministry of Health and Welfare held a conference to introduce a blueprint of the resort-style medical tourism business in a bid to attract foreign investment at Jeju Grand Hotel on Thursday.

The number of foreign-based patients who visited Korea for medical treatments surged by 27.3 percent to 15,000 people last year compared to 12,000 a year before.

They spent 230 billion won ($203 million) on medical fees; the total amount of money earned from tourists who came to the country for health reasons was 39 billion won in 2012.

Jeju Halla General Hospital introduced “Medical Resort WE Hotel” which will provide a variety of health care services such as cosmetic procedures, medical check-ups and postpartum care. The hotel is the first case to offer both accommodation and medical treatment to foreigners in Korea as the government revised the medical law in 2009.

“Jeju is recognized as a world-class place for medical tourism as it has beautiful scenery and is geographically close to China, Japan and South Asian countries,” said Choi Il-bong, a chief of the hospital.

“Starting in July, the medical resort which will offer high-tech medical services while providing a comfortable tour experience will be fully operated.”

Jeju Free International City Development Center and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport aim to complete construction of the town, which will have a medical development center, relaxation facility and accommodation.

“With an aging population, health problems of elderly people emerged as an important issue. Staying at the medical town will offer options for the patient’s other family members to enjoy their own time with traveling options or skin care while accompanying the elderly on the island.” 


By Park Han-na
(hnpark@heraldcorp.com)