- South Korea's Health Ministry to introduce Korean medicine majors abroad, establishing new medical programs in overseas colleges to boost global traditional medicine competency.
- Part of South Korea’s national five‑year strategy (2021‑2025), the initiative includes clinical training for foreign medical professionals and policy education for health officials.
- Countries like Turkey and Thailand will host the programs, leveraging global university partnerships and aligned with the WHO’s 2025–2034 strategy for traditional medicine expansion.
Laos and the Republic of Korea are undertaking a major collaborative effort to revolutionize healthcare training and services in Laos with the construction of a new, high-tech University of Health Sciences (UHS) and hospital.
This modern complex, to be constructed in Vientiane, will be specifically designed to be fully capable of offering in-depth clinical training for medical students and lecturers. A historic deal was inked in Vientiane by the Lao Ministry of Health and South Korea's Lsung Company.
The ambitious project, funded by a Korean government loan worth about US$120 million, seeks to raise Laos' medical education and service standards substantially.
The signing ceremony of the agreement was attended by top officials from both countries, such as Lao Minister of Health Dr Bounfeng Phoummalaysith and South Korean Ambassador to Laos Mr Jung Yung Soo.
The new eight-floor hospital, located in Xiengda village, Xaysettha district, will consist of 400 beds, including a combination of private and general rooms.
The central building will accommodate diverse healthcare facilities, such as a Medical Research Council (MRC) unit and a CT scanner. Most importantly, the hospital will boast a standalone simulation centre for clinical practices, a university first, and other basic amenities such as a canteen.
New Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) project manager Dr Bounsathien addressed the ceremony, explaining the project's ambitious scope.
He outlined proposals for the construction of healthcare infrastructure at all levels, from community to central, including high-tech medical equipment and up-to-date teaching facilities. One of the main goals is to internationalize medical education in Laos to international standards.
Lsung consortium, which won the construction contract on May 26, 2025, will spearhead the project with different sub-contractors and government ministries, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and EDCF.
Ilsung Company representatives reiterated their strong intention to produce a first-rate facility critical to the development of medical education in Laos.
Ilsung mentioned that the project will further promote the bond of Laos and South Korea and was confident that the new facility would directly benefit the people of Laos. Dr Bounfeng, on his last day as Minister of Health, extended thanks to all guests and participating ministries.
He confirmed the Lao government's contribution of US$21 million towards the project, backed by a low-interest loan from the EDCF. The hospital will be a teaching hospital with the purpose of promoting the competency of healthcare services nationwide, he further added.
He reiterated the government's commitment to quality healthcare and upgrading hospital systems towards self-sufficiency, highlighting the necessity of applied clinical knowledge and modern equipment in medical education.
He also pointed out the distinctive feature of the new hospital, as he said that there are no other major hospitals in Vientiane that provide the full range of medical and teaching services that the new University of Health Sciences hospital will have.
