Table of Contents
- A Practical First Step to Solving the Western Gyeongnam Medical Gap
- Construction of a 300-Bed General Hospital Near Jinju Aerospace National Industrial Complex
- Increase in Project Cost Inevitable…Will Actively Request Government Support
- The Only "Public Medical Blind Spot" in the Province, Jinju Area, Expecting National Policy Response
- Conclusion: Accelerating the Design for Realizing Public Medical Care Felt by Local Residents
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A Practical First Step to Solving the Western Gyeongnam Medical Gap
The establishment project of the Gyeongsangnam-do Western Medical Center is progressing in earnest. Construction is slated to begin in the second half of 2026, aiming for opening in the second half of 2029, and Gyeongnam Province is currently conducting basic and detailed design services until 2025.
On July 11, 2025, an interim report meeting on the basic and detailed design of the Western Medical Center was held at the main auditorium of the Western Government Building. In this meeting, the main directions and plans of the project were announced.
About 30 people attended the meeting, including members of the Public-Private Cooperation Committee and health center directors from five cities (Jinju, Sacheon, Namhae, Hadong, Sancheong) in the Jinju area, sharing opinions on the design plan and discussing local cooperation methods. Such cooperation will be an important foundation for the establishment of the medical center.
Construction of a 300-Bed General Hospital Near Jinju Aerospace National Industrial Complex
The Western Medical Center will be located near the Jinju District Aerospace National Industrial Complex, comprising one basement level and seven above-ground floors. This hospital is expected to have 300 beds, offering 18 medical departments and 8 specialized centers.
This facility is designed to resolve the lack of essential medical services in the Western Gyeongnam region and enable local residents to enjoy better medical accessibility. The design work was carried out by Haean Comprehensive Architectural Firm, which comprehensively planned the spatial layout, flow, and floor configurations to maximize functionality and efficiency.
Increase in Project Cost Inevitable…Will Actively Request Government Support
Gyeongnam Province pointed out that the total project cost currently set is based on the construction cost from 2020, leading to a significant discrepancy with reality. To resolve this, they plan to request an increase in the project cost from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Economy and Finance to align with rising prices and construction costs.
A related official from Gyeongnam Province stated, “The establishment of the public medical center has long been a desire of the residents, and we will actively pursue this through smooth communication with the government.” These efforts will be an important step toward the health and welfare of local residents.
The Only "Public Medical Blind Spot" in the Province, Jinju Area, Expecting National Policy Response
Currently, among the five major treatment areas in Gyeongnam, the Jinju area is facing difficulty due to the absence of local responsible medical institutions. Accordingly, the Western Medical Center is expected to play a crucial role. This facility will significantly contribute to filling the medical gaps in the region. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the speed of promotion will accelerate in connection with the government's pledge for the expansion of public medical infrastructure centered on treatment rights.
With the establishment of the Western Medical Center, Gyeongnam Province is also accelerating the ongoing relocation and new construction project of Geochang Red Cross Hospital. Through this, they plan to further strengthen the public medical network within the province.
Conclusion: Accelerating the Design for Realizing Public Medical Care Felt by Local Residents
The construction of the Gyeongnam Western Medical Center is not just about establishing a hospital but is a significant public infrastructure project to fill the gaps in essential medical services needed by local residents, improving the quality of life in the region.
This interim report meeting has increased the likelihood of developing into a tailored medical facility by actively reflecting the opinions of local residents. Accordingly, collaboration among Gyeongnam Province, local health authorities, and the central government is essential for smooth construction commencement and operational preparation.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. When is the construction start and opening target date for the Gyeongnam Western Medical Center project?
The Western Medical Center is set to commence construction in the second half of 2026 and aims to open in the second half of 2029.
The establishment of the Gyeongsangnam-do Western Medical Center is progressing with plans to commence construction in the second half of 2026 and open in the second half of 2029. Currently, basic and detailed design services are being conducted until 2025, and the design plan and direction were shared in the interim report meeting held in July 2025. Local and government officials are collaborating to ensure that construction proceeds smoothly according to this schedule.
Q. What is the main scale and medical departments of the Western Medical Center?
It will consist of one basement level and seven floors above ground, with a capacity of 300 beds, including 18 medical departments and 8 specialized centers.
The Western Medical Center will be established near the Jinju Aerospace National Industrial Complex and will consist of one basement level and seven above-ground floors. It will have a total of 300 beds and will strengthen local medical services by operating 18 medical departments and 8 specialized centers. The design is managed by Haean Comprehensive Architectural Firm, which aims to maximize functionality by planning spatial arrangement and flow.
Q. What is the current situation regarding the establishment project cost of the Western Medical Center and what measures are being taken?
The existing project cost is based on the construction cost from 2020, and adjustments for current price increases will be requested from the government.
Gyeongnam Province has reported that the project cost currently reflects the 2020 construction price, resulting in a significant discrepancy with current conditions. To address this, they plan to actively request an increase in the project cost, reflecting inflation and rising construction costs, from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Given the high expectations of local residents for the establishment of the public medical center, they are pursuing smooth budget adjustments through close consultations with the government.
Q. What is the medical environment in the Jinju area where the Western Medical Center is located?
The Jinju area faces serious medical gaps as the only public medical blind spot in the province, lacking local responsible medical institutions.
Among the five major treatment areas in Gyeongnam, the Jinju area suffers from significant challenges in public medical services due to the absence of local responsible medical institutions. The establishment of the Western Medical Center is expected to play a key role in addressing these medical gaps in the region. Additionally, in line with the government's policy to expand public medical infrastructure centered on treatment rights, the project is gaining momentum, and it is expected that medical accessibility will be significantly improved in the future.
Q. What impact will the establishment of the Western Medical Center have on public medical care in Gyeongnam?
The establishment of the Western Medical Center marks an important turning point in addressing the medical gap in Western Gyeongnam and strengthening the public medical network.
The construction of the Western Medical Center is more than just a hospital establishment; it is a public infrastructure project that aims to provide essential medical services that residents can feel and improve the quality of life. The project will also be linked with the relocation and construction of the Geochang Red Cross Hospital, and it aims to strengthen the public medical network in the Gyeongnam region. Following the interim report meeting, this facility is expected to evolve into a tailored medical facility that reflects local opinions and contributes to enhancing the health of residents.
