Yonsei Institute
for Global Health

The Yonsei University Health System (YUHS) was founded in 1885 by Dr. H. N. Allen, the American medical missionary, as the first modern medical institution in South Korea. Originally named Kwanghyewon, it was founded as the first Western-style royal hospital; the name was later changed to Chejungwon, and then became Severance Hospital. As an institution leading the medical community in South Korea, YUHS has protected the public health, and grown up along with the development of Christianity, medical education, medical research and hospitals in South Korea.

Since it produced 7 graduates who licensed to practice medicine in South Korea in 1908, YUHS has produces approximately 700 graduates every year through systematic medical education. Beyond this, it provides the best medical services to more than 5.3 million patients, based on the medical data it has been accumulating since the 19th century, as well as its advanced medical equipment and information system.

YUHS is striving to fulfill its mission statement of “With the love of God, we will free humankind from disease and suffering,” and will establish its position as a top medical center in Northeast Asia and a leader in the globalization of medicine. YUHS will reinforce its position as a medical hub in Northeast Asia and a leader in the globalization in medicine with the store of experience it has accumulated over more than 130 years, and a health system that has reached an international level of global competitiveness.