Editorial photo #13033755 Disaster and Accident
‘K-Safety’: Introducing Korea’s Disaster Response Model
The Regional Trauma Center at Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, is surrounded by residential apartments on November 27, 2025. The Northern Gyeonggi Regional Trauma Center is the largest and most active trauma facility in the region, working closely with the 119 emergency services and helicopter EMS (Emergency Medical Service). The center provides 24-hour rapid surgery and treatment for severe trauma patients, such as those injured in traffic accidents or falls, whereas general emergency rooms treat a wider range of patients, from minor injuries to serious illnesses. Director Cho Hang-joo notes that if the hospital is centrally located in the country, it could cover all of South Korea, but he also highlights the challenge of frequent complaints from nearby residents due to noise generated by emergency helicopter operations. (Photo by Chris Jung/NurPhoto)
