Joseph Clinic has reaffirmed its mission to serve the poor and homeless as it moved from Yeongdeungpo to a new facility near Seoul Station, where it officially reopened on Aug. 29.
Founded in 1987 by the late Dr. Sunwoo Kyung-sik, the clinic has provided free medical treatment to more than 770,000 patients over 38 years.
It began trial operations at its new location in Dongja-dong on Aug. 1 after redevelopment forced its departure from Yeongdeungpo, where it had been based for nearly three decades.
Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick, O.C.D. presided over the inauguration Mass at the new chapel, joined by Bishop Seo Sang-beom of the Military Ordinariate and Bishop Koo Yo-bi, vicar general of the archdiocese.
About 80 people, including priests, former directors, board members of the St. Joseph Sharing Foundation, and longtime volunteers, attended.
“Twenty-eight years ago, redevelopment in Sillim-dong led us to relocate to Yeongdeungpo to serve more of the city’s poor,” Archbishop Chung said in his homily.
“Now, by choosing again to be where many homeless people and residents of flophouses live, God has given Joseph Clinic a renewed opportunity to fulfill its mission faithfully,” the prelate added.
He encouraged the clinic to remain faithful to the vision of the late Dr. Sunwoo Kyung-sik, its founder, by continuing to witness to Christ’s love for the poor.
He also expressed hope that patients would find not only physical healing but also consolation and spiritual renewal.
“In a society increasingly divided and materialistic, the presence of Joseph Clinic in the heart of Seoul carries symbolic meaning,” Bishop Seo said. “I pray it will be a place of hope, healing, and grace.”
Bishop Koo emphasized the sacrifices of volunteers. He expressed gratitude to volunteer medical workers for their dedication and hard work.
“May it continue to embrace those marginalized and abandoned within the faith,” he said.
Joseph Clinic currently operates 15 departments, including internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, psychiatry, and dentistry, supported by 130 unpaid medical professionals, 700 volunteers, and 5,500 regular donors.
The Joseph Neighbor Love Center, led by Sister An Boon-i, will begin outreach this September to flophouse communities and boarding houses in Dongja-dong and Jongno.
“We will provide medical treatment and health care services to neighbors in need—such as those with serious illnesses, the bedridden, and reclusive patients—and strengthen patient-centered care in collaboration with groups active around Seoul Station,” Sister An said.
Hospital director Dr. Ko Young-cho said the new location broadens the clinic’s mission, noting that the Seoul Station area has a large flophouse community and many homeless people, creating greater opportunities to serve the poor and marginalized.
“We will dedicate all our efforts to providing the best possible free care for patients both inside and outside the hospital,” he said.
