# South Korean emergency medical system improvements > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-emergency-medical-system-improvements > Updated: 2026-10-07T03:41:36.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. South Korean medical institutions and government bodies are implementing measures to improve emergency care and reduce regional medical disparities. In late September 2026, Gachon University Gil Medical Center and Mokpo Hankook Hospital established a partnership to create a collaborative medical system for severe trauma patients. This agreement focuses on personnel exchange, real-time online consultations, and the use of ‘Doctor Helicopters’ to assist hospitals facing specialist shortages. By October 2026, the Ministry of Health and Welfare expanded efforts to improve critical patient transport by selecting the Gwangju-Jeonnam region for a pilot project. Led by Chonnam National University Hospital, the initiative will deploy specialized ambulances equipped with intensive care unit (ICU) technology, such as ECMO. These vehicles are designed to provide continuous high-level care during facility transfers, with full operations expected in the first half of 2027. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-07: Gwangju-Jeonnam to deploy ICU-level ambulances for critical patients South Korea is expanding its critical patient transport pilot to the Gwangju-Jeonnam region, deploying ICU-equipped ambulances staffed by doctors and nurses to ensure safe hospital-to-hospital transfers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gwangju-jeonnam-to-deploy-icu-level-ambulances-for-critical-patients ### 2026-09-22: Gachon University Gil Medical Center and Mokpo Hankook Hospital partner on trauma care Gachon University Gil Medical Center and Mokpo Hankook Hospital have partnered to improve severe trauma care through personnel exchange, remote consultations, and enhanced helicopter transport systems. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gachon-university-gil-medical-center-and-mokpo-hankook-hospital-partner-on-trauma-care --- Cite as: South Korean emergency medical system improvements. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-emergency-medical-system-improvements