Gangnam-gu has expanded its overseas compatriot medical support program to include Koryo-saram — ethnic Koreans living in Central Asia — marking the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule.
After providing medical support to three overseas Koreans residing in South Korea in August, the district invited an ethnic Korean from Uzbekistan who had been unable to afford knee surgery to receive treatment in Seoul. The patient, who recovered after the operation, visited Gangnam-gu District Mayor Kim Hyun-gi on Tuesday to express his gratitude.
The beneficiary, Lee Vitaly, 73, is an ethnic Korean living in Uzbekistan. He had suffered from chronic knee pain that worsened to the point where walking became difficult. He managed with painkillers but could not afford the surgery he needed.
Gangnam-gu covered airfare and accommodation costs for Lee and his guardian so he could receive treatment in South Korea. Cheongdam Harrison Hospital covered the costs of knee replacement surgery, hospitalization and rehabilitation as part of the medical sharing initiative.
After the operation, Lee underwent recovery and rehabilitation at the hospital and regained his ability to walk. He was discharged in good health and visited the Gangnam district office on Tuesday, ahead of his return to Uzbekistan, to meet with District Mayor Kim. Lee expressed his thanks to Gangnam-gu and Cheongdam Harrison Hospital for making his treatment possible and spoke about the changes in his daily life since the surgery and his plans going forward. Kim congratulated Lee on his recovery and wished him good health back in his home country.
Gangnam-gu's medical sharing program launched in 2018. Since then it has supported surgeries for six overseas patients: a cleft lip and palate patient from Indonesia in 2018, a facial deformity patient from Thailand in 2019, a cleft lip and palate patient from Vietnam in 2022, a microtia patient from Mongolia in 2023, a laryngeal papillomatosis patient from Kazakhstan in 2024, and a herniated disc patient from Mongolia in 2025. This year, the district broadened eligibility to include overseas Koreans, helping patients who lack access to adequate medical care.
"On the 81st anniversary of liberation, it is especially meaningful to reflect on our historical ties with the Koryo-saram community and to extend a warm hand of solidarity through medical sharing," District Mayor Kim said. "We will continue to draw on Gangnam's excellent medical infrastructure to help patients in need restore their health and daily lives."
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