Ulsan's Bangudae Hospital Closure Triggers Emergency Transfer Plan

Bangudae Hospital in Ulsan announced it will cease operations on September 3, after a series of incidents that included a patient fall and a suicide. The facility currently houses about 202 in‑patients, roughly 130 of whom have severe developmental disabilities. Experts warn that relocating these patients within a month is complex and requires a coordinated response.

Lee Jong‑guk, former director of the National Gongju Hospital, told the media that “the most important issue is to devise a plan for where and how to transfer the patients currently in Bangudae Hospital.” He urged Ulsan city officials to form an emergency task force that includes the Ministry of Health and Welfare, local mental‑health agencies, medical experts, disability rights groups, the hospital itself and patient families. The task force would assess each patient’s condition and match them with appropriate mental‑health institutions, noting the nationwide shortage of beds for severe cases.

The closure highlights broader concerns about the lack of public, specialized facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities in South Korea, prompting calls for the government to establish more state‑run centers.