Beyond transit and school districts, now ‘hospital-access zones’... complexes near tertiary hospitals draw attention

[Financial News] As South Korea enters a super-aged society, interest is growing in apartments in so-called “hospital-access zones,” close to major medical facilities. In particular, tertiary general hospitals—the backbone of severe and emergency care—number just 47 nationwide, highlighting the scarcity of residential complexes nearby.
On the 27th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety’s resident registration population statistics showed that, as of September, 11,313,616 people in South Korea were aged 65 or older, accounting for 22.1% of the total population of 51,082,431. Compared with 6,995,652 people (13.5%) in 2016, the share of older people rose by 8.6 percentage points over the decade.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare, meanwhile, says there are 47 tertiary general hospitals nationwide for the fifth designation period (2024–2026). Fourteen are in Seoul, five in Gyeonggi Province and four in Incheon. The 24 others are outside the capital region. There is just one in Chungbuk and two each in Gangwon and Jeonbuk.
As a result, access to major hospitals is increasingly seen as a key factor in residential convenience, especially in regions with relatively limited healthcare infrastructure.
In the market, some apartments near major medical facilities are recording transactions at higher prices.
According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Actual Transaction Price Disclosure System, a 58-square-meter unit at Kkachi Jugong Complex 2, near Seoul National University Bundang Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, sold for 1.55 billion won in June. That was 160 million won more than the 1.39 billion won paid for a unit of the same size in January this year.
An 84-square-meter unit at Mudeungsan IPARK in Hak-dong, Dong District, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City, also sold for 700 million won in July. That was up 113 million won from 587 million won in the same month last year. Near the complex are Jeonnam National University Hospital and Chosun University Hospital, both tertiary general hospitals.
New residential developments are also continuing to be supplied in areas with access to medical infrastructure.
IPARK Hyundai Development Company plans to launch sales in November for IPARK Mudeungsan Skyfore, near 633-3 Hak-dong, Dong District, Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City. Developed through the redevelopment of Hak-dong Zone 4, the project will comprise 19 buildings, with three basement levels and up to 29 floors above ground, totaling 2,299 households. Of these, 1,387 units with exclusive areas of 59–135 square meters will be offered for sale to the general public.
The complex is near Jeonnam National University Hospital and Chosun University Hospital. Gwangju Urban Railway Line 1 stations Namgwangju and Hakdong–Jeungsimsa Entrance are within walking distance, and a transfer facility to Urban Railway Line 2 is planned for Namgwangju Station. Gwangju Stream and Mudeungsan National Park are nearby.
In Seoul’s Yangcheon District, GS E&C is selling Mokdong Yoonseul Xi, a residential officetel development. On the former KT site at 924 Mokdong, it will comprise three buildings with six basement levels and up to 48 floors above ground, offering 651 units with exclusive areas of 114–203 square meters.
Nearby is Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, a tertiary general hospital. Omokgyo Station on Seoul Subway Line 5 is within walking distance, and existing amenities such as Hyundai Department Store Mokdong Branch and Omok Park are also close by.
In Hyoja-dong, Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, Dongbu Corporation plans to sell Namchuncheon Centerville. The complex will have six basement levels and up to 39 floors above ground, with 264 households offering exclusive areas of 59–84 square meters. Nearby are Namchuncheon Station, served by the Gyeongchun Line and ITX-Cheongchun, and the Chuncheon Express and Intercity Bus Terminal. Kangwon National University Hospital is the nearby medical facility.

[email protected] Choi A-young Reporter