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Busan Metropolitan City Expands Designated Hospitals for Victims of the Brothers Home Incident and Similar Cases to 23, with Mayor Park Heong-joon Vowing Continued Support for Survivors

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it held a “Meeting on the Expansion of Designated Hospitals for Victims of the Brothers Home Incident and Similar Cases” at the City Hall video conference room today (October 1) at 3 p.m.

This meeting was presided over by the Vice Mayor for Administrative Affairs and attended by leading hospitals in the region, who discussed the expansion of designated hospitals.

The expansion of designated hospitals aims to strengthen medical accessibility and hospital options for survivors, particularly elderly victims who now require more practical support. To address the regional imbalance of existing designated hospitals and improve access, the number of designated hospitals has been significantly increased from 9 to 23.

Among the newly designated hospitals are many of the “leading regional hospitals” preferred by citizens. These hospitals, which also operate health screening centers in each district, will join the existing designated hospitals in working for the health and well-being of survivors. Newly added institutions include:

• ●Samyook Busan Hospital (Seo-gu), designated as a customized hospital for the Medical Tourism Special Zone

• ●Ilsin Christian Hospital (Dong-gu), a regional general hospital specializing in women’s and pediatric treatment

• ●Haedong Hospital (Yeongdo-gu), the leading general hospital in western Busan

• ●Essem Hospital (Busanjin-gu), with a one-stop system for thyroid and diabetes treatment

• ●Busan Korea Hospital (Nam-gu), designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as a specialized joint hospital and accredited medical institution

• ●Dadae Soo Hospital (Saha-gu), specializing in spinal and joint surgery

• ●Myeongji Internal Medicine Clinic (Gangseo-gu), a health-screening focused medical institution

• ●Sae Hangun Hospital (Yeonje-gu), designated for health screening of the five major cancers, with expertise in colorectal, anal, and hemorrhoid treatment

• ●Good Gangan Hospital (Suyeong-gu), operating a cancer center and specializing in cardiovascular disease treatment

• ●Good Samsun Hospital (Sasang-gu), an accredited medical institution by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and certified for cardiovascular intervention procedures

• ●Gijang Hospital (Gijang-gun), specializing in spinal, joint, and brain disease surgery.

These newly designated hospitals will work together with the existing designated hospitals, which include:

• ●Maryknoll Hospital (Jung-gu)

• ●Busan Himchan Hospital (Dongnae-gu)

• ●Gupo Bumin Hospital (Buk-gu)

• ●Hyoseong City Hospital (Haeundae-gu)

• ●Seungwoong Hospital (Geumjeong-gu)

• ●Nunebit Eye Clinic (Busanjin-gu)

• ●Dadae Tuntun Dental Clinic (Saha-gu)

• ●Bareun Lee Kim Dae-sik Dental Clinic (Suyeong-gu)

• ●Busan Medical Center (Yeonje-gu).

In addition, Busan Metropolitan City prioritized the selection of specialized hospitals, such as dental and psychiatric institutions, taking into account the age and medical circumstances of survivors.

For dentistry, which was the most requested service by survivors:

• ●Dadae Dental Clinic (Saha-gu), led by Director Son Gi-chan with over 30 years of experience and a 2023 recipient of the “Proud Citizen of Busan Award”

• ●Saeroun Dental Clinic (Nam-gu), specializing in prosthodontics, including implants, dentures, and special prosthetics.

For mental health, Lara Psychiatry Clinic (Yeonje-gu), which specializes in trauma treatment, was also newly designated to help promote survivors’ psychological well-being.

Moving forward, Busan Metropolitan City plans to establish a comprehensive medical service network that considers region, medical specialty, and survivor needs, ensuring more attentive care for survivors. Leading hospitals in the city also expressed strong willingness to participate actively in this expansion to assist victims of the Brothers Home and similar facilities.

Since September 2022, the city has been providing medical expense support as part of the “Support Project for Survivors of Human Rights Abuses in Mass Detention Facilities in Busan,” including victims of the Brothers Home Incident.

Han Jong-seon, representative of the Brothers Home Survivors (including missing persons and bereaved families) Association, remarked, “The expansion of designated hospitals has provided not only improved health services but also significant emotional comfort. I am grateful to Busan Metropolitan City and the participating hospitals for actively responding to the needs of survivors, and I ask for their continued support and cooperation.”

Through his official social media account, Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “The suffering of survivors of state-run mass detention facilities, including the Brothers Home, Yeonghwa School, Jaesaengwon, and Deokseongwon, persists. To improve hospital accessibility for aging survivors and expand their choice of specialized hospitals by region and medical need, Busan will significantly increase the number of designated hospitals to 23 starting today (October 1).”

He added, “As Mayor of Busan, I sincerely apologize for this painful and tragic incident that remains unresolved even after more than 40 years. Busan Metropolitan City will continue to care for the health of survivors and walk alongside them.”