Ambassadors, spouses other senior diplomats tour medical facilities

Ambassadors, spouses other senior diplomats tour medical facilities

SAM Medical Center gives love as well as devoted medical service

Ambassadors and other members of the Seoul Diplomatic Corps and their spouses from about 20 different countries of the world toured the SAM Medical Center in Anyang City, some 14.3 miles south of Seoul, on Nov. 12, 2008.

Welcoming the foreign dignitaries, Chairman Lee began with "I love you!" which was, in fact, the slogan and symbol of the Center. He spoke in English dispensing with the need of an interpreter (and more importantly saving time for both the host and guests).

In fact, all the doctors in charge of the different hospitals of the Center and departments of the hospitals introduced their organization and service in English and especially in the case of Dr. Lee Byung-Joon (in charge of gastric diseases department) the guests seemed to understand every word and expression he used.

An expatriate doctor, Dr. Daniel Durrance, who was responsible for overseas medical service activities, disclosed that there was an English-language class for all the doctors and other personnel of the Center. It appeared that such classes were instrumental in the improvement of the English language ability on the part of the doctors and the staff.

Expatriates in Korea, perhaps, could visit the SAMMedical Center expecting that communication there would be better than any other medical facility in Korea--with the sole exception of the one manned all by the native speakers of English.

SAM Medical Center consisted of Anyang Hospital, Women? Hospital, Oriental Hospital, Health Promotion Center and Integrated Cancer Medical Center.

The ambassadors and other senior diplomats visited all the different hospitals mentioned above divided in two different groups to save time and avoid congestion.

Speaking to the guests at the welcome ceremony, Chairman Lee ST said in part:
"I extend my hearty welcome to His Excellency Ambassador Rene Francisco Umana Chinchilla of Honduras, Dean of the visiting members of the Seoul Diplomatic Corps, and Mrs. Umana Chinchilla; Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post; His Excellency Ambassador Ham Myung-chul to Singapore (ret.); Excellencies; Madams; and other Members of the Diplomatic Corps.
"My warmest welcome also to Mayor Lee Pil-un of Anyang City, Rep. Lee Jong-gil from Anyang City, Anyang City Police Station Chief Superintendent Woo Hee-Ju, Eminent Journalists and other Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

"Four days later on November 16th, we celebrate the 41st anniversary of opening of the SAM Medical Center, which today consists of SAM Anyang Hospital, SAM Women? Hospital, SAMOriental Hospital, Integrative Cancer Center, Health Promotion Center for Seniors and Rehabilitation Center for Seniors. Thus, we have been providing the citizens of Anyang City and the surrounding region with medical attention and promotion of their health.

"We have also been providing medical service to the people who need us in various countries of the world. We have been doing our best to share the pain with them.

"The SAM Hospital, which aspires to lead the medical circles in Korea, has established an Integrative Cancer Center. Our name SAM in Korean means ?pring?or where we are doing our utmost so that the 'Spring' will never go dry but is always full of devoted care and love for the people who need us.

"I was born in China and my wife in Japan and my wife and I will live and die in Swaziland of Africa, which is notorious for the rampancy of AIDS.

"Medicine is a profession where we are called upon to treat patients anywhere on the globe regardless of difference in territory or locality. Poverty, diseases and infant mortality are problems to which all the peoples of the world should pay keener attention and in this regard we would highly appreciate the views and opinions of the Excellencies and Madams.

"It is my sincere wish that the distinguished guests will personally see during their tour of the SAM Medical Center today the enthusiasm and kind care on our part to help the people who need us, the excellent medical equipment and facilities, and that we will be provided with your kind advice as to what room we may have for improvement.

"We do not say that we are the best in the world, but we are continuing our effort to provide the patients in Korea and around the world with the best care we can. In that respect, we solicit your understanding and opinion and we would appreciate your advice and encouragement.

"I pray that God will bless you and your family! Thank you.?Chairman Lee? welcome address was responded to by Ambassador Rene Francisco Umana of Honduras who acted as the dean of the visiting members of the Diplomatic Corps that day. He said in part:

"Doctor Lee Sang-Taek, chairman of the SAM Medical Center, Madam Hwang Young-Hee, Honorable Mayor Lee Pil-Un of Anyang City, Honorary Rep. Lee Jong-gil of the National Assembly from Anyang, Honorable Superintendent Woo Hee-Ju of Anyang City Police Station, Excellencies, ambassadors, members of the Diplomatic Corps, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

"Allow me, on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps of Korea, to congratulate Doctor Lee Sang-Taek, his distinguished wife and their complete staff for the celebration of the 41st. anniversary of the opening of the SAM Medical Center, back in November 16, 1967.

"There is a saying in my country: ?o one is a prophet in his home land,?referring to the people who are successful in a foreign country. This is your case, Doctor Lee; even though you and your wife have a Korean name, you were born in China and your wife in Japan, and both of you have been successful in this beautiful country of Korea.

"SAM Medical Center is a complete complex, providing to the citizens of Anyang and the surrounding region medical attention for their health, as you said. But it is not only that; the cost of this medical attention is less than half of what is charged for the same service in other hospitals in Korea. The care and love given to the patients are free. The citizens of this region must be considered privileged persons because they have at their hands a complete, modern and inexpensive medical center where they can go when they are ill.

"The deed Dr. Lee Sang-Taek is doing is wonderful, not only for the people of Anyang City, but for the most needed people in the world, sending medical brigades abroad to cover, at least, their basic medical necessities.

"This is commendable, done only by people with a big heart and people who have sentiments of love for the poor, children and elders. Let me express to you our sincere congratulations, Dr. Lee, for your charitable service to the humanity. You are doing a great job.

"On behalf of all my colleagues, I want to express our appreciation to Dr. Lee and to SAM Medical Center for the opportunity given us to check our bodies, completely free. Be sure that the most of us will do it as soon as we have time to come back to Anyang City.

"Dr. Lee Sang-taek, Madame Hwang Young-Hee, distinguished guests, we wish you prosperity and happiness and we also pray to God to bless you, your families and friends.?The welcome ceremony was followed by presentation of introduction video of the SAM Medical Center in English and introduction of each of the different hospitals and departments by the doctors in charge of each organization.
Then there was a performance by the ?ilk Road Choir?of the Center formed by doctors all clad in white gown to the accompaniment of music played by the musicians of the National Police Academy. They sang so well that some of the guests said that they did even better than professional vocalists.
Then a luncheon was hosted by Chairman Lee ST at the Sam Nuri Hall. It was a buffet luncheon consisting of Korean and international foods and beverage. Continued playing of music by the police academy band added to the pleasant atmosphere at the luncheon hall.

Minister Chin Soo-Hee of Health & Welfare said that a total of 300,000 in-bound medical tourists are expected to visit Korea a year by 2015. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Healthcare & Medical Tourism Conference (Medical Korea 2011) at COEX in Seoul on April 13, 2011, Minister Chin said that the number of in-bounds to Korea for medical attention has been rapidly increasing from 60,000 in 2009 to 80,000 last year and that Korea is expecting the number to increase to 300,000 a year by 2015.

At 2nd Healthcare & Medical Tourism Conference

Minister Chin eyes annual 300,000 medical tourists to Korea by 2015

Medical Korea 2011 was co-hosted by the Ministry of Health & Welfare and the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism and organized by the Korea Healthcare Industry and Tourism Institute (KHIDI).
Following Minister Chin, President Bupwan Kim of KHIDI stated that medical tourism industry has passed through an introductory period and that now it is meeting a growth period around the world. He noted that medical institutions and providers offer a high-quality service differentiated from other countries and give patients trust for developing global healthcare industry.

A return address was made by Ambassador Konstantin V. Vnokov who congratulated the successful opening of Medical Korea 2011 and disclosed that Russia was very much interested in increasing cooperation and exchange between Korea and Russia in medicine. He said that in fact a good number of Russian medical experts were attending the Conference.

The Conference was attended by a total of over 500 guests from 27 different countries of the world, who included Ambassadors Muteb AL-Mutoteh of Kuwait, Konstantin V. Vnukov of the Russian Federation and Al-Ahmad Al-Barrak of Saudi Arabia; Charge d'Affaires Abdulla Almarzooqi of the United Arab Emirates and Medical Attache Scott Blaker of the United States, many of whom were accompanied by their wives. Among the medical experts attending Medical Korea 2011 were President Allan Yeo of Thomson Medical Centre, President Choi Han-Yong of Samsung Medical Center, President Cho Sang Heon of Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System, President Young-seon Hong of the Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, President & CEO Park Yong-Won of Yonsei University Health System, President Huh Chu Yeop Kyung Hee University International Medical Service in Gangdong and Vice President Dr. Chang-Sung Son for Health Affairs at Korea University Medical Center.

There also were Director SooWoong Kim of KHIDI, Executive Director SooNam Jim of KTO, President Renee-Marie Stephano of MTA, Executive Director Dr. Desmond Yen of International Business of ACHS and Dr. Heon-Jae Jeong of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Then there were Prof. I. Glenn Cohen of Harvard Law School, COO Wen-Ching H. Niou of MSH China, Chief Cardiology Dr. Jin Sik Park of Sejong Hospital and Director Dr. JungHyun Shim of the Leon Wiltse Memorial Hospital.

In addition, there were Presidents Jung Hee-won of the Korea International Medical Association, Kang Yoon-goo of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and Shin Kyunglim of the Korean Nurses Association; and Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post
Following the official opening of Medical Korea 2011, Minister Chin hosted an informal meeting with a number of ambassadors and their spouses, whose countries were on the high-priority list for mutual cooperation with the Korean medical industry.

I express my heart-felt gratitude to the Excellencies and Madams from the Russian Federation, the Kingdom of Kuwait, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the presidents and CEOs from five major general hospitals in Korea for taking time out of their busy schedule for the promotion of cooperation between Korea and their countries in the promotion of cooperation in medicine.
As I stated at the opening ceremony, we had 60,000 medical tourists from overseas in 2009, which increased to 80,000 last year and we are expecting that it will be further increased to around 300,000 by 2015.

The Korean medical service industry stands out in a number of areas and they do especially so in plastic surgery and cancer treatment where the survival rate is very high compared with other medically advanced countries of the world.

In the case of organ transplantation and other such areas where Korea is strong, we are thinking of specializing in them.

The JCI certifying organizations in Korea today total 15, which represents a rapid increase compared with 2007 when we had only one.

The Korean government is increasing effort to encourage prospective foreign patients to visit Korea for medical attention, including visa waver for overseas patients visiting Korea, operation of medical call centers, improvement and expansion of infrastructure for foreign medical consumers and expansion of public relations activities.

We now have a fairly high standard of medical service and we would like to share it with the developing countries because when Korea had difficulties in the past we received much aid and support from other countries.

Excellencies present at this meeting here today, I hope, will take much interest in the Korean medical industry during your tour or duty after your return home you will continue to disseminate the excellent medical service industry of Korea to your people back home.

Then there were remarks by the ambassadors. Excepts follow:

Ambassador Muteb Al-Mutoteh of Kuwait:
I would like to express my congratulations on Medical Korea Conference’s having become the forum of Asia’s largest medical information and I believe that Korea will keep the leading position in the healthcare and medical tourism industry. In this regard, the Embassy of Kuwait in Seoul will render all possible support and assistance for the promotion of cooperation in medical area between Kuwait and Korea.

Ambassador Konstantin V. Vnokov of the Russian Federation: In view of the importance of Medical Korea 2011, I attended the Conference with Russian Medical Directors Mrs. Terentieva and Mrs. Pozdnyakova from my home country.

In the past, many Russians living in the Far Eastern Region of my country visited China for medical attention and tourism. However, the trend has changed and many of them come to the Republic of Korea (South) instead of China. We are pleased with the high standard of medical skills and services in the ROK.

As Minister Chin remarked at the Opening Ceremony, it is my knowledge that Korea and the United Arab Emirates signed an MOU for medical cooperation last year and it is my understanding that a similar agreement is being prepared between my country and Korea.

The Russian Embassy in Korea will do its utmost for the early conclusion of medical cooperation agreement between the two countries. I would also like to conclude a medical MOU with one of the five medical organizations present here for receiving the excellent medical service from the hospital.

The informal meeting between the host and the members of the Seoul Diplomatic Corps was followed by their tour of about 50 exhibition booths of the different medical organizations and local governments as well as hospitals put up at the lobby in front of the Conference room.
Minister Chin, President Kim of KHIDI, ambassadors, the presidents of five largest hospitals of Korea and Chairman Lee of The Korea Post toured each booth followed by leaders and staffers of KHIDI. The booths showed all kinds of exhibits showing the advanced status of each medical and local government organization.

At one of the booths showing the excellent standard of plastic surgery hospital, one of the two attending young ladies was one who had actually had plastic surgery at the hospital. Smiling, she explained to the visitors how she became a ‘real beauty’ after the surgery and showed the pictures of herself before the operation and the one after. The visitors were surprised at the outstanding difference between the pictured of her before the operation and herself after the surgery. A young lady with such a face-lift would not wish to reveal her picture before the surgery, but she did not seem to mind much as she was now so confident in her beauty, which was nothing different from natural beauty.

Throughout the three-day Conference there were workshops as follows:
At the Day 1 Workshop, the main speakers were President Allan Yeo of Thomson Medical Centre, Director SooWoong Kim of KHIDI and Executive Director SooNam Jim of Korea Tourism Organization.

At Day 2 Conference, the main speaker was President Renee-Marie Stephano of MTA.

At Day 3 Conference, the number of speakers was the largest and included Executive Director Dr. Desmond Yen of International Business of ACHS, Dr. Heon-Jae Jeong of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Prof. I. Glenn Cohen of Harvard Law School, Nurse Informatics Specialist Sharon Sweeney Fee of Livingston Healthcare and COO Wen-Ching H. Niou of MSH China.

On the evening of the last day of the Conference on April 14, there was a gala dinner for all the participants in the Conference, which was attended by most of the guests at the three-day Conference as well as the management of KHIDI.

Speaking to the guests, President Bupwan Kim of KHIDI (host) said that “as a result of hosting Medical Korea 2011 I am very pleased and confident that this Conference has, without doubt, become a notable global health care event representing Northeast Asia’s health and medical industries.”
Then he said: “Over the last 3 days of workshops and conferences, we have been able to acquire and understand a diversity of opinions and advanced knowledge through lectures and heated discussions by international scholars.

"Likewise, we feel that this was a worthwhile event because of the 480 official business meetings and exhibitions, and since many Korean and international key players were able to sign contracts, seek new business opportunities and establish networks.
“Consequently, we hope that you can attend next year’s event to further renew Korea’s medical brand ‘Medical Korea.’

“There is an old Korean proverb that says ‘paths get wider as people walk along, while affection gets stronger as people share it?Seeds of ties created during this ‘Medical Korea 2011’ event, shall grow into strong partnerships through the years, and shall ripen as development of the global health care industry and people’s health continues.

“Lastly, I hope this banquet can provide you the opportunity share unfinished conversations started during the official events. Thank you.”

Excerpts from welcome message by Minister Chin at Opening Ceremony:
On behalf of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, I warmly invite you to Medical Korea 2011 - 2nd Global Healthcare & Medical Tourism Conference.

In the global era, because of an overall improvement in standards of living and aging society, people deeply consider about good quality of healthcare service and high-tech medical care.
Actually, more than 40 million medical tourists have gathered in global tourism market.
In anticipation of 2012 global health care industry will be a fast growing industry. And the revenues are expected to be in the $ 100 billion range.

Korea selected global health care industry as a higher value-added business and intensively has fostered as newly growth industry. Korea has developed medical technology, equipments, and trained specialists as world standard level.

The Ministry of health and Welfare will contribute to promote health of people all around the world. We would like to invite you to a memorable meeting that will change your view of global healthcare and medical industry.

Excerpts from welcome greeting by President Kim of KHIDI at the Opening Ceremony:
On behalf of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI), I would like to sincerely invite all of you to attend the ‘Medical Korea 2011-2nd Global Healthcare & Medical Tourism Conference’ as the Asia’s largest medical conference.

Nowadays, medical tourism industry passed through introductory period and is meeting growth period around the world. Medical institutions and providers offer a high quality service differentiated from other countries and give patients trust for developing global healthcare industry.

In this upcoming conference, we anticipate up to 1,000 attendees from over 40 countries and up to 100 exhibitors & sponsors getting together worldwide selection of healthcare providers, international insurance providers, employers, top medical tourism facilitators, travel agents and referring physicians. There will be living discussions about major issues.

As we keep intense business network with various stakeholders, we will be able to carve new markets and develop new products. Also, this conference will be one of the most powerful place in Asia which provides lots of information about global healthcare & medical tourism.

We are looking forward to have a successful completion with great achievement. And we expect that the conference become a pathfinder of the flourished global healthcare & medical tourism industry. Lastly, we hope that ‘Medical Korea 2011-2nd Global Healthcare & Medical Tourism Conference’ will be held successfully and ask for your active participation and support.

At Diplomatic Center and PyunKang Oriental Clinic

Envoys, senior diplomats hear lecture on Oriental medicine

▲Ambassador Dusan Bella of the Slovak Republic and Director Seo Hyo-seok of PyunKang Oriental Clinic in Seocho-dong, Seoul (fifth and sixth from right, rear row, respectively, pose for the camera with other ambassadors, other senior diplomats and their spouses.

At the lecture, Dr. Seo emphasized the importance of preservation and promotion of the health of the lungs that greatly influences the proper functioning of other organs of human body.

Welcoming the distinguished guests, Dr. Seo said it was a great for him to have the rare opportunity to invite the distinguished guests at this time when people are all preparing for a better future in the ‘Age of 100 Years and Beyond.’

He said, “It is said that there are territorial boundaries in the world of politics and economics but that there are no such boundaries in our combat against diseases.” Then he said that the humanitarianism of PyunKang (his Oriental hospital) is for the benefit of all the peoples of the entire world.
He said: “I have been sending a message of hope to the patients of intractable diseases around the world with a wondrous remedial method for such diseases through improvement of the level of immunity in us for the health of lungs. Now I wish to share this good news with the distinguished guests at this meeting.”

▲Ambassador Dusan Bella of the Slovak Republic (right) presents a Plaque of Appreciation to Director Seo Hyo-seok of PyunKang Oriental Clinic for the lecture on Oriental medicine for the ambassadors and other members of the Diplomatic Corps in Korea.
“Atopy, rhinitis, asthma, pulmonary emphysema, bronchiectasis and pulmonary fibrosis, are known as intractable diseases in the world,” he said, “hover, in fact, I would say that they are not intractable diseases but those that are curable.”

He disclosed that ways are opened to the cure of the atopic diseases only when the pores of the hair and sweat are widely opened so that perspiration freely takes place. “Atopic patients,” he recommended, “should be much streamed with perspiration to get the benefit of complete cure.” Then he said that “as a doctor who has successfully cured a total of 40,000 atopic patents, I am sharing this message with you with full confidence.”

▲Photo shows Pyunkang-hwan Oriental medicine pills for curing COPD diseases.

Then he stated: “The human body is very honest. The body has the ascriptive function of disposing out of the body all the things that come in through the five sensory organs. How wonderful it would be if these things that come into the body are unpolluted clean water, food, air and beautiful sceneries.
“Unfortunately, however, they are not. And they cause all kinds of diseases and problems inside the body.

“When the body is fatigued and exhausted from the busy urban life and when all its organs become weak to a great extent then come in all kinds of pathogenic organisms and dwell inside the body.

“Whatever diseases we may have inside our body, we also have a miraculous remedial method there inside. It is important for us to trace and discover the original cause of the disease and seek ways to cure it with a firm determination and effort to attain such a miraculous result. Only then will come the miraculous cure of the disease.”

Dr. Seo’s welcome speech was accorded with a return speech by Ambassador Dusan Bella of the Slovak Republic, who was the most senior among all the ambassadors attending the lecture that day, and performed the role of the dean of the visiting members of the DCK.

Ambassador Bella, whose wife, Mrs. Eugenia Bellova, herself was a doctor of medicine, said, “There is an Arabic saying, ‘He who has health has hope, and who has hope has everything.’ You all here in Pyun-Kang Oriental Clinic are bringing a hope back to the people. You are those who are delivering human-oriented medical treatment not only through high quality medical services, but also through exceptional care and love.” (Excerpts from his return speech are toward the end of this Article.)

▲Pyunkang-tang developed by Director Seo Hyo-seok of PyunKang Oriental Clinic. Pyun- kang-tang is Oriental medicine concoction for various respiratory diseases, especially COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
Following the delivery of speeches, Ambassador Bella presented Dr. Seo with a Plaque of Appreciation as a token of expression of gratitude for Dr. Seo’s kind invitation of the members of the DCK to the lecture and luncheon and the tour of his Clinic. Ambassador Bella stated that such an occasion greatly contributes to the promotion of understanding of the traditional Korean medicine and culture as well as cooperation and friendship between the home countries of the visiting ambassadors and other diplomats and Korea.

Excerpts from the return speech by

Ambassador Bella of Slovakia:Honorable Dr. Seo Hyo-seok, Director of Pyun-Kang Oriental Clinic, Distinguished Chairman Lee Kyung-sik, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen!
First thing, allow me on behalf of participating diplomats to express our sincere thanks to Director Seo for his kind invitation to the Pyun-Kang Oriental Clinic, which is bringing health and hope to many people in Korea as well as abroad.

▲Director Seo (center) with Ambassador and Mrs. Mohamed Ali Nafti of Tunisia (right and left)

▲From left, Mrs. Mihaela Fabian (spouse of ambassador of Romania), Dr. Seo, Investment Counselor Nguyen Thi Minh Hien of Vietnam and Ambassador Elisabeth Bertagnoli of Austria

There is an Arabic saying that “He who has health has hope, and who has hope has everything.” You all here in Pyun-Kang Oriental Clinic are bringing a hope back to the people. You are those who are delivering human-oriented medical treatment not only through high quality medical services, but also through exceptional care and love.

When we talk about Korean traditional medicine, we know that it can be traced back as far as 3000 B.C. Few months ago we celebrated with the Korea Post in Yeongam County the achievements of Doctor Wangin, who travelled to Japan more than 1,600 years ago to spread Korean knowledge, which at that time influenced greatly all areas of Japanese life.

We also know that Korean medicine flourished especially during Joseon period when the royal physician Heo Jun published in 1613 famous Dongeui Bogam, which integrated the known Korean and Chinese medicine of that time. Even today this “Mirror of Eastern Medicine” is regarded important classics of Oriental medicine.

Another significant contribution of traditional Korean medicine is related to Sasang typology, in which person's physical constitution is classified according to the traits of an individual's mind and body. Therefore one's sensitivity and response to certain drugs and treatment differs depending on each Sasang type.

▲CDA Jana Chaloupkova of the Czech Republic, Dr. Seo and CDA Youssef Raggi of Lebanon.
I could also mention for instance the priest-physician Saam, who developed a system of acupuncture employing the five element theory, but I think today we prefer to learn more from deep knowledge and rich experience of Dr. Seo.

Having great admiration for Korean traditional medicine, I am very pleased to mention, that thanks mainly to my dear wife Eugenia, we managed to establish not only the first modalities of cooperation between representatives of Slovak alternative medicine and Association of Korean traditional medicine, but also tuition of Korean medicine at the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine in Slovakia starting from this September.

Finally, allow me to thank Director Seo once more for the opportunity to visit Pyun-Kang Oriental Clinic and wish him and all his collaborators a sound health, lot of energy and success in their responsible work, which is saving lives, and bringing health, joy and hopes back to many people.
Antique wisdom says, “The greatest wealth is health”. You, Dr. Seo and your Pyun-Kang Oriental Clinic, you are helping to keep and restore this wealth and that is why you deserve our great thanks, our deep gratitude, respect and admiration.

Gist of lecture by Dr. Seo on Oriental medicine:

Cause of the fourth highest mortality rate is the COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) which includes emphysema and bronchiectasis. The death rate will become third by 2030, which means a person will die from it in very ten seconds. It said that a total of 65 million persons are already serious cases of COPD and in Korea every third person among the senior citizens above the age of 65 is suffering from COPD.

The main causes of COPD are known to be cigarette-smoking, polluted air and dust at work places which, when inhaled, cause the pulmonary diseases and other ailments in the respiratory organs of the human body.

Smokers are mostly worried about the cancer of the lungs but COPD is considered to be much more serious than pulmonary cancer. This is because the people normally do not realize the seriousness of the diseases.

▲Ambassador Kulkumut Singhara Na Ayudhayam of Thailand and Dr. and Mrs. Seo.

▲Ambassador Albino Malungo of Angola, Dr. Seo and Mrs. Malungo.
In the early stage of development of COPD, people normally think it is a simple cold or asthma and neglect consulting a doctor about the problem. Then the diseases progress and the patient starts experiencing difficulty in breathing, suffering exhaustion, lapsing into a coma, and then faces death.

However, few people really know the danger of COPD. According to a study by the Korean National Tuberculosis Association in 2012, some 75% of the 737 smokers above the age of 45, who were most prone to the COPD, did not know what COPD meant. A total of 287 taxi cab drivers, who were among the most exposed to the polluted air, were asked if they knew what COPD meant. Nine out of ten of them did not know what it was.

Due to their ignorance of the seriousness of COPD, they seldom visit hospital to have a COPD checkup.
Seriously concerned about this situation, the PyunKang Oriental Clinic, started developing Oriental medicine to protect people from COPD.

They are Pyunkang-tang and Pyunkang-hwan. The medicine continues to gain their popularity in Korea and PyunKang now wants to further expand its clinics not only in Korea but in various countries around the world.

I constantly suffered from tonsillitis when I was a child. There were many times I couldn’t play with my friends because I was bed-ridden, and I spent many sleepless nights due to high fever. This was probably one of the reasons I decided to study Korean Medicine at the university and made endless efforts to find treatment for tonsillitis.

However, the conventional medicinal herbs and treatment methods only mitigated the symptoms and did not cure the disease completely. I was disheartened and asked myself, “How can I treat others when I can’t even treat my own condition?”

After graduating from Kyung Hee University in Seoul, my journey toward finding the perfect treatment for tonsillitis began in full swing. I examined a wide range of medicinal herbs, eating them raw and crushing, boiling, decocting and burning them for my research. Whenever I faced challenges, I sought information in medical books and even applied popular folk remedies. There were many nights when I woke up in the middle of my sleep to continue with my research.

Once, after hearing that frying a centipede called “ogong” and spraying it directly on the tonsils can improve tonsillitis, I tried it at home and it caused an unpleasant odor that stuck around for days.

There was a time when I thought pinellia would be effective, so I drank medicinal fluid containing highly concentrated pinellia as an experiment. The concentration must have been too high because I sustained sores inside my mouth and could not eat for three days.

During my research and experiments, I learned the close relationship between the lungs and atopic dermatitis, asthma, rhinitis and tonsillitis, and this realization led to the development of Pyunkang-tang. Through many clinical trials, Pyunkang-tang was used to treat many diseases arising from a respiratory system problem and was shown to be effective in treating other diseases by improving the health of the lungs.

Since its development, Pyunkang-tang has quickly emerged as an outstanding medicine for treatment of various diseases. A woman, who wanted to commit suicide after suffering from atopy for nearly 40 years, took Pyunkang-tang and re-gained her flawless complexion.

A table tennis player who had been in a slump due to rhinitis became fully cured and achieved an excellent result at an international table tennis competition. A salaried man, who constantly had to take sick leaves due to frequent colds, and a pastor, who suffered from vocal fold nodules and sinusitis, opened a new chapter in their lives thanks to Pyunkang-tang, which helped cure their conditions. It was rewarding for me as the developer of Pyunkang-tang to hear these stories, and I became more convinced of its benefits and efficacy.

Just as there is a saying that you can turn evils into blessings, I am actually grateful to have suffered from tonsillitis in childhood as this unfortunate experience has helped me develop Pyunkang-tang and help countless people. I am also determined to spread the treatment principles of Pyunkang-tang, which reinforces the lung function to eliminate the root cause of the common cold, rhinitis and bronchitis, and help treat people suffering from various diseases around the world.

I am not claiming that Pyunkang-tang is a medicine that can cure every disease and illness, and just because you take it, it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get better. It is a medicine that helps eliminate the root cause of various diseases for improved health, and there are bound to be challenges and obstacles in the process of treatment. However, if you believe in the efficacy of Pyunkang-tang, which has been proven during the 40 years of clinical research, with patience and faith, you will regain better health just like our former patients..

PyunKang Oriental Medicine Clinic was established in Sanbon, Gunsan 165 miles south of Seoul in 1998. After graduating from the Kyung Hee University College of Oriental Medicine in Seoul in 1972, I concentrated my effort on my study of tonsillitis for 30 years to treat my own condition and as a result succeeded in the development of PyunKang-tang.

The excellent medicinal efficacy of PyunKang-tang was proven in the process of treatment of patients and it led to my expansion of my clinics and to establish branch clinics in Ansan, Myeongdong and Seocho.

PyunKang-tang concoction and PyunKang-hwan (pills) are now exported to some 30 countries worldwide and are supplied to the overseas Koreans who trust the efficacy of PyunKang-tang and PyunKang-hwan.

▲Dr. Seo, Mrs. Seo, Mrs. Lee and Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post that organized the tour of the Oriental Clinic for the ambassadors and other members of the Diplomatic Corps of Korea.
Pyunkang-tang protects your body by improving your lungs, which are the most crucial organ for your body’s Gi (energy) which is known as Gi in China. The common cold is a typical infectious disease of the respiratory system, and most people suffer from it at least a couple of times a year. However, just because it is prevalent, it doesn’t make it any less dangerous.

It is important that one understand the common cold is a source of various other diseases including tonsillitis, rhinitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, otitis media, conjunctivitis, asthma, pharyngitis, and pneumonia.

The respiratory system is the primary route of infection, which can occur during breathing. When the immune system and self-healing power of the body are below the normal level, the respiratory system becomes susceptible to various attacks from foreign matter including microorganisms.

The central role of the respiratory system is played by the lungs, which is also the most crucial organ for our Gi.
The lungs are the site of energy exchange between our bodies and the external environment, and maintain the energy of the body.

In order to stay healthy, we need to promote the lung functions and enhance the amount of energy we receive from nature. However, most people only use one sixth of the lung capacity, and this means that the contaminated air and foreign matter that penetrate the body cannot be filtered out.

The reduced lung functions have a negative impact on the tonsils and airway, and weakened tonsil function means lowered immunity and greater susceptibility to rhinitis, asthma and pneumonia.

Also, the lungs also affect the skin and lowered lung functions can lead to atopic dermatitis and acne. The lungs are the most crucial organ in our bodies. The main function of the lungs is to eliminate carbon dioxide and accept oxygen. Then, the oxygen is transported from the lungs to various parts of the body, including the organs, by the red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the bloodstream, while the white blood cells (leukocytes) help fight off the harmful microorganisms that enter our body such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
In modern medicine, atopic dermatitis, rhinitis and asthma are distinguished as three separate diseases, but we take on a different view as these three conditions have the same root cause. Elimination of the root cause can help get rid of the three conditions quickly and simultaneously diseases of which the underlying cause is a problem in the respiratory system including the common cold as well as rhinitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, otitis media, conjunctivitis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, atopic dermatitis, acne and psoriasis.

Clean and purify your lungs with Pyunkang-tang! The essential part of treating a disease arising from a problem in the respiratory system is to clean and purify the lungs.

Most people in modern society spend majority of their time (more than 80% of their day) indoors in enclosed rooms and offices. Research has shown that the degree of air pollution is higher inside buildings compared to the outdoors by about 2- to 5-fold, and this can lead to the sick building syndrome.
Indoor air pollution is a major threat to people. So, it is recommended that you open the windows at least twice a day for ventilation, which helps get rid of the accumulating dust and receive fresh air from outside. This is also true for our bodies.

▲Director and Mrs. Han (second and third from left) are flanked by Seoul Correspondent Wan Yu of People? Daily (right) and Seoul Bureau Chief Yang Ming of Economic Daily China
Due to the everyday stress and irregular lifestyle, we need to clean and ventilate our lungs on a regular basis. Pyunkang-tang can help clean and purify our lungs, discharging the toxins and wastes that have been building up in our bodies, and it helps accept the original Gi (energy) from nature for improved vitality of the lungs.

Treating the root cause for reinforced immunity and self-healing power:
The fundamental principle of treatment provided by PyunKang Oriental Clinic is not simply mitigating the symptoms of diseases, but it is to promote the lung functions and reinforce the immune system and self-healing power. To date, there are more than 150,000 patients who have benefited from Pyunkang-tang and no longer suffer from intractable allergic diseases such as rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis. As such, Pyunkang-tang has been recognized for its excellent effects and efficacy and emerged as the world’s best medicine for diseases resulting from a problem in the respiratory system.

About Director Seo of Pyun- Kang Oriental Clinic:Current positions
Director of PyunKang Oriental Clinic in Seocho
Outside professor at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine
Vice-President of the Alumni Association of Kyung Hee University
Director on the board of the Korean Alliance to Defeat AIDS
Vice-President of the Korea Global Healthcare Association
Previous positions
Director of Kyunghee Oriental Clinic in Gunpo
President of the Seoul Dongdaemun- gu Korean Medicine Association
Full-time instructor at the Oriental Hospital of Wonkwang University
Graduated from Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine
Opened Dongindang Oriental Clinic in Daejeon
Published books
Pyunkang: Road to Longevity (PyunKang Publisher, 2012)
Health Miracles (PyunKang Publisher, 2010)
From Atopy to Intractable Diseases (I-Olive, 2005)

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