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[HEALTH] · South Korea · 3 sources

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Part of situation: Incheon Won Hospital human rights investigation (2 clusters)

Incheon records highest preventable mortality rate among major Korean cities for five years

preventable mortality rate medical accessibility healthcare inequality essential medical services Incheon healthcare

Incheon has recorded the highest preventable mortality rate among South Korea's major metropolitan cities for five consecutive years. While the rate has been declining—reaching 46.18 per 100,000 people in 2024—it remains higher than other major cities like Busan, Daegu, and Gwangju.

Significant regional disparities exist within Incheon. The 5-year average mortality rate in Dong-gu and Ongjin-gun was approximately 58 per 100,000, nearly 1.5 times higher than the 38.92 rate in Yeonsu-gu. Residents in island and border areas face heightened risks due to limited medical accessibility.

Data analyzed by National Assembly member Heo Jong-sik reveals a shortage of medical personnel. Incheon has 5,785 doctors, fewer than Daegu despite Incheon having a larger population. Furthermore, the number of cardiothoracic surgeons grew by only three people over a seven-year period.

Additionally, Incheon's utilization rate of local tertiary general hospitals stands at 73.80%, significantly lower than Seoul's 95.53%. This trend contributes to a broader national issue where patients from non-metropolitan areas travel to Seoul, incurring an estimated 1.748 trillion won in socio-economic costs annually.

Entities

Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service · Heo Jong-sik · Incheon · Ministry of Health and Welfare

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 2 SOURCES] The 5-year average preventable mortality rate in Dong-gu and Ongjin-gun was approximately 58 per 100,000 people. biz.heraldcorp.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Incheon's utilization rate of local tertiary general hospitals is 73.80%. www.kgnews.co.kr
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Incheon's preventable mortality rate per 100,000 people was 46.18 in 2024. biz.heraldcorp.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Incheon's preventable mortality rate has been the highest among major metropolitan cities for five consecutive years. biz.heraldcorp.com
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Non-metropolitan patients traveling to Seoul for treatment caused an estimated socio-economic cost of 1.748 trillion won in 2023. www.kgnews.co.kr
  • [● 2 SOURCES] The number of cardiothoracic surgeons in Incheon increased by only 3 people between 2018 and 2025. biz.heraldcorp.com
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Incheon has 5,785 doctors working in medical institutions as of late 2025. biz.heraldcorp.com

Sources

인천의료원 20개 진료과 중 8개 ‘전문의 1명 체제’ 운영 [www.bjynews.com]
경기신문 - 기본에 충실한 경기·인천 지역 바른 신문 [www.kgnews.co.kr]
인천 치료가능사망률 5년째 특·광역시 최고… 원도심·도서지역 의료격차 심각 [biz.heraldcorp.com]