In a step toward restructuring the overconcentration of hospital beds in Seoul and neighboring cities, the government has announced a plan to restrain the growth of bed supply in regions where there is already an excessive number of beds compared to the local population and demand.

Starting next year, medical institutions looking to establish or expand by 100 beds or more will require approval from the provincial medical institution establishment committee, and those seeking to expand by 300 beds or more will need approval from the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW).

Second Vice-Minister of Health and Welfare Park Min-soo detailed such plans while announcing the "Third Basic Hospital Bed Supply Policy" (2023-2027) in a briefing held on Tuesday at the Central Government Complex in Seoul.

According to Park, in 2021, Korea led OECD nations in the number of hospital beds per 1,000 people, with 12.8 beds, which was roughly 2.9 times the OECD average.

There is also a considerable imbalance in the distribution of medical institutions, with almost half located in the metropolitan areas of Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon.

The ministry predicts that, if the current trend continues, there will be an excess supply of approximately 105,000 beds by 2027 as several large hospitals are planning to establish branches in the capital area.

Park stressed that an increase in beds in this region could lead to negative effects, such as a concentration of medical personnel in the capital at the expense of other regions.

As a result, a bed management committee will oversee the adjustment of bed supply, continually checking the situation, and publishing regular statistics and new procedures will be introduced, such as preliminary examinations for hospital establishment and expansion.

The MOHW is also pushing for Medical Law amendments to solidify these regulations.

However, the government said those institutions already having construction permits this year will not be denied establishment, in line with the "principle of trust protection."

The government is also enhancing efforts to improve the qualitative standards of existing beds, ensuring proper staffing and compliance with facility standards, along with stricter penalties for non-compliance.

Park expressed firmness in the government's stance, stating that unchecked bed supply could jeopardize the healthcare system's sustainability and emphasizing the urgent need to manage beds systematically and prevent unwarranted increases.