South Chungcheong Province said it was quickening its steps to construct a general hospital in Naepo New City in collaboration with Myongji Hospital.

On Monday, South Chungcheong Province held the first meeting with Myongji Medical Foundation after signing a memorandum of understanding to construct a new hospital with 525 beds in Naepo on Jan. 4.

Under the plan, the hospital will have 22 departments, including specialized treatment centers for severe emergency and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and employ up to 857 people, including 94 doctors, 414 nurses, and 349 service workers.

During the meeting, the two parties began to take related procedures, such as pre-feasibility review and inspection of administrative procedures related to the construction of the new general hospital in Naepo.

The province plans to conduct research services for the next seven months to review the scope and feasibility of funding for the installation of a general hospital and analyze medical demand in Naepo.

Along with the research, South Chungcheong Province is also preparing other administrative procedures, such as investment review and signing additional agreements that have a legally binding effect with Myongji Medical Foundation by the end of this year.

If all goes accordingly, the province hopes to complete the construction of the new hospital by March 2026, three years earlier than the original plan.

The new hospital in Naepo will be the third Myongji hospital, after the one in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, and the other in Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province.