The National Medical Center announced on the 19th that Seo Gil-jun has been appointed as the new director. The term for the director of the National Medical Center is three years, with the possibility of renewal on an annual basis.
On the same day, Seo received his appointment letter as the sixth director from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and began his first official duties. Seo is an expert with extensive experience in emergency medicine and trauma and disaster medicine. He has served as a professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine for over 20 years and contributed to establishing emergency, trauma, and disaster medical systems. Since joining the National Medical Center, he has held key positions such as Deputy Minister for Planning and Coordination and deputy director of medical affairs, promoting the revitalization and modernization of medical services. Seo also previously served as president of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine, the Korean Society of Disaster Medicine, and the Korean Society of Trauma.
Seo identified five key goals for his term: improving the quality of public health through the strengthening of the national crisis response medical system, successfully advancing the construction of a new hospital and Central Infectious Disease Hospital, enhancing medical services through the recruitment of excellent medical personnel and the strengthening of essential medical services, innovating human resource management systems, and improving organizational culture.
Seo noted, "Externally, we are faced with rapidly changing medical environments and the entry into a super-aged society. Internally, we have numerous issues to resolve, including the new construction, transfer, and construction of the Central Infectious Disease Hospital, the activation of medical functions, and management innovation. Just as we have served as the last line of defense in protecting public health during national crises like MERS and COVID-19, we must continue to fulfill that responsibility in the future."