"Carrying Medical and Diagnostic Equipment to 90 Islands"... Jeonnam-Gwangju 512 Enters Service

Medical care for about 5,000 island residents in the western region... 41 types of diagnostic tests
Replaces aging ship with 14.2 billion won in national and city funding... Carries up to 44 people

The new hospital ship Jeonnam-Gwangju 512, which will provide medical care to residents of 90 islands across six cities and counties in western Jeonnam-Gwangju, officially entered service on Friday. It is expected to improve access to healthcare in island communities by providing medical, Korean medicine and dental care, as well as more than 40 types of diagnostic tests.

The Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City held a commissioning ceremony for the Jeonnam-Gwangju 512 at the government vessel pier at Mokpo South Harbor on Friday. The new ship will replace the existing Jeonnam 512, which is 23 years old. Construction cost a total of 14.2 billion won, including 9.5 billion won in national funding and 4.7 billion won in city funding.

The ship has increased in size from 170 tons to 198 tons. It can carry up to 44 people, including medical staff and island residents. It is equipped with waterjet propulsion to accommodate the shallow waters around the islands and uses a hybrid electric propulsion system for environmentally friendly operations.

Construction began with the design phase in July 2023 and continued through the vessel's handover in August 2026. After completing about two months of trial operations, the ship officially entered service.

The project focused on improving operational safety and medical care conditions by replacing the aging vessel. About 5,000 residents live within the Jeonnam-Gwangju 512's service area, many of them aged 65 or older. Onboard, the ship will provide 41 types of diagnostic tests, including radiological and clinical laboratory tests, as well as dementia and mental health screenings. The aim is to reduce disparities in healthcare services between regions by adding early disease detection and prevention to the ship's medical services.

About 300 people attended the commissioning ceremony, including Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Mayor Min Hyungbae, National Assembly member Kim Woni, Lee Eunjung, a member of the city council's Health and Welfare Committee, Ko Hyungwoo, director of regional essential healthcare policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, representatives of medical and public health institutions, and island residents.

Mayor Min said, "People should not have to bear additional time and costs to access healthcare because they live on an island. Everyone's right to health should be equally guaranteed, wherever they live." He added, "We will work to strengthen public healthcare services so that the Jeonnam-Gwangju 512 can serve as a medical safety net for island residents in the western region."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.