The Severance Hospital "Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center," established with a 5 billion won donation from BTS member Suga (birth name Min Yoon-gi), opened on the 30th. The center will be led by pediatric psychiatrist Chun Geun-ah.
Severance Hospital said it held an opening ceremony that day on the first floor of the Chejung Building at Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, with attendees including Yonsei University President Yoon Dong-seop, Yonsei University Health System President Keum Ki-chang, and Korea Autism Society President Kim Yong-jik.
The Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center has language and behavior therapy rooms and a music and social group therapy room equipped with sound and soundproofing facilities. In the guardian waiting area, works by Lee Gyu-jae, an artist on the autism spectrum, are also on display.
Here, the social group program "MIND" (MIND·Music, Interaction, Network, Diversity), developed by Suga and Professor Chun Geun-ah by integrating music into therapy, will be offered. A customized, integrated treatment by a specialist team composed of child and adolescent psychiatrists; music, speech, and behavior therapists; and clinical psychologists will also be provided.
In Nov., there will be a camp event for children and teenagers who participated in the MIND program, and in Dec., a performance by participants is also scheduled at Yonsei University's main auditorium.
Going forward, the center will develop programs by integrating not only music but also various arts activities such as art and physical education, foster related professionals, and pursue clinical research and academic presentations.
Professor Chun Geun-ah said, "At the Min Yoon-gi Treatment Center, we will not only teach children music to enhance therapeutic effects but also educate them in social skills," and added, "Public perceptions of disability will greatly improve as people observe children on the autism spectrum striving to become independent in society."
Severance Hospital said it plans to expand and relocate the facilities in line with the specialization of the center's operating programs and rising demand.
In Jun., Suga donated 5 billion won to build a treatment center to help treat children and adolescents on the autism spectrum and support their social independence. It was the largest celebrity donation ever received by Yonsei University Health System. From the second half of last year through the first half of this year, Suga has engaged in music volunteer work for children with autism alongside Professor Chun.