Civic groups engage in a sit-in protest in front of the Jeju Provincial Government Office, Wednesday, after the regional administration announced the authorization of the country's first for-profit hospital. / Yonhap



Civic groups fear breakdown of public healthcare system



By Lee Suh-yoon



The country's first for-profit hospital was given authorization to open on Jeju Island, Wednesday, on the condition that it offers services only to foreign patients.



"The Greenland International Hospital has been approved conditionally. It cannot offer treatments for domestic patients," Governor Won Hee-ryong said in a press conference.



The Greenland International Hospital is focused on catering to wealthy Chinese tourists, and will offer plastic surgery and dermatological services. Internal and family medicine will also be available.



Won also emphasized that Greenland was separate from the country's public health care system; and national health insurance will not be accepted by or be applicable to the hospital.



The 47-bed hospital was constructed in 2017 by Greenland Group ― a state-led Chinese real-estate developer based in Shanghai ― after the pro-free market Park Geun-hye administration gave it the green light to start building in Jeju Healthcare Town on the island's southern coast in 2015. The law allows for such open-investment hospitals for foreign patients in special economic zones such as Jeju if over 50 percent of the capital is financed by foreign investment.



Greenland Group spent 77.8 billion won ($69 million) to build the hospital and has already hired over 100 staff. The possibility of a multi-million lawsuit and ties with China seems to also have affected the governor's decision.



The decision to approve Greenland International Hospital overturns a recent recommendation by the citizens' panel to ban it. It also goes against a recent public poll which showed that almost 60 percent of Jeju Island residents who voted were against allowing the hospital to operate.





The Greenland International Hospital at Seogwipo on Jeju Island. / Courtesy of Jeju Free International City Development Center