Governor tours veterans' hospital and housing improvement site in Haman

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Park Wan-su visits Sarom Rehabilitation and Convalescent Hospital in Haman on Tuesday to check on the health of national merit holders and deliver care packages. [South Gyeongsang Province]
South Gyeongsang Province Governor Park Wan-su visits Sarom Rehabilitation and Convalescent Hospital in Haman on Tuesday to check on the health of national merit holders and deliver care packages. [South Gyeongsang Province]

South Gyeongsang Province Governor Park Wan-su visited national merit holders in Haman on Tuesday — the final day of Patriots and Veterans Month — pledging to expand medical and housing support and promote a culture of honoring veterans.

Park visited Sarom Rehabilitation and Convalescent Hospital in Haman, where he checked on the health of hospitalized national merit holders and delivered care packages. He then heard from hospital officials about the challenges of running a Ministry of Patriots and Veterans-contracted hospital and urged them to keep working to improve medical welfare for veterans.

Contracted hospitals designated by the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans are medical institutions assigned to improve healthcare access for national merit holders living in areas where veterans' hospitals are difficult to reach. About 80 such contracted hospitals operate across South Gyeongsang Province, and 41 national merit holders are currently hospitalized at Sarom.

Wounded veterans and patients suffering from Agent Orange-related conditions receive full government coverage of their medical costs, while Korean War and Vietnam War veterans receive reduced out-of-pocket fees.

Park then visited a housing improvement project site for Korean War veterans in Haman, where he joined workers in hanging wallpaper and delivered daily necessities to residents.

South Gyeongsang Province signed an agreement in May last year with the Gyeongnam Development Corp. and the South Gyeongsang Veterans Organizations Council to select two to three national merit holders each year and provide up to 8 million won ($5,190) per household. The funds go toward renovating aging homes, covering wallpapering, flooring replacement and kitchen sink upgrades.

The first recipients this year are Korean War veterans in Haman, with two additional households set to receive support in September and October.

"Today's Republic of Korea exists because of the sacrifice and dedication of our national merit holders," Park said. "We will continue to expand medical and welfare support so that those who devoted themselves to the country receive the recognition they deserve."


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