Busan On Hospital has announced a bold new vision on the occasion of its 16th anniversary, aiming to establish a global medical network and take a leading role in the advanced cancer treatment market.
Global Expansion: Establishing ‘K-Medical’ Bases in Vietnam and Russia
During the 16th anniversary ceremony held in the hospital’s auditorium on the 3rd, Director Kim Dong-heon (former director of Busan National University Hospital) officially declared the hospital's entry into the global market. The plan includes establishing branch hospitals in Vietnam and Far East Russia, creating a "Medical Silk Road" that connects Southeast Asia and Eurasia by combining On Hospital’s expertise with local infrastructure.
In Vietnam, On Hospital secured a 2,300-square-meter medical site in Phu Xuan, Nha Be District—adjacent to Ho Chi Minh City—back in 2018. Although progress was stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital has recently resumed administrative procedures, including investment plans and construction permits, while hiring local staff to spearhead the project.
Simultaneously, On Hospital is looking north toward Primorsky Krai, Russia. The hospital plans to establish medical institutions in Kraskino and Khasan, areas expected to see increased activity following the opening of the Arctic shipping route. The group is also exploring agricultural development in the Tumen River basin and is currently strengthening ties with Russian officials to finalize these initiatives.
‘Elion Women’s Meditown’: A 20-Story Landmark for Medical Tourism
To meet the growing domestic and international demand for specialized female healthcare, On Hospital will initiate a major hardware expansion in Seomyeon, the heart of Busan. The hospital will construct "Elion Women’s Meditown," a 20-story facility dedicated to women’s health.
The Meditown will provide specialized services in obstetrics and gynecology, dermatology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics. Designed to target both domestic patients and overseas medical tourists, the facility is expected to become a landmark of the Seomyeon Medical Street, enhancing Busan’s competitiveness as a global medical tourism destination and revitalizing the local economy.
The "Dream Cancer Treatment": Proton Therapy Within 3 Years
On Hospital also revealed a high-tech investment plan to bring a "dream cancer treatment machine"—the proton therapy system—to the Yeongnam region within three years. Currently, only two such machines exist in South Korea.
The hospital recently concluded practical meetings with a U.S.-based manufacturer and has designated the third basement level—currently housing a linear accelerator—as the site for the new system. Specific design reviews are already underway. The project, requiring a massive investment of 70 billion won, utilizes equipment that precisely targets cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Its introduction is expected to provide life-saving opportunities for cancer patients in the region, as well as those traveling from abroad to seek advanced care.
Jung Geun, Director of On Hospital Group, stated, “Building on 16 years of growth, we are now ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with global medical standards. Through our overseas branches and the introduction of proton therapy, we will remain a hospital that constantly challenges and overcomes intractable diseases.”
