A Day of Unity with Hansen’s Disease Communities Across Korea Commemorating the 109th Anniversary of Sorokdo National Hospital

- 22nd Hansen’s Disease Awareness Day Ceremony Held -

- 22 Individuals, Including Lee Sun-ja, President of the Gyeongnam Volunteer Hairdressers’ Association, Received Government Awards and Ministerial Commendations -

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, Minister Cho KyooHong) and Sorokdo National Hospital (Acting Director Park Jong-eok) hosted the 22nd Hansen’s Disease Awareness Day Ceremony on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at the hospital’s Multipurpose Cultural Center.

The event was held to commemorate the 109th anniversary of Sorokdo National Hospital and was attended by over 3,200 members of the Hansen’s disease community, along with distinguished guests including Minister Cho KyooHong, Jeonnam Governor Kim Yeong-rok, and Park Jong-min, Vice Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.

First established in 2004, Hansen’s Disease Awareness Day is observed annually on the hospital’s founding date. The event brings together communities affected by Hansen’s disease from across Korea to promote friendship and solidarity. This year marks the 22nd edition of the event.

At the ceremony, government awards (two Presidential Commendations and two Prime Minister’s Commendations) and Ministerial Commendations (18 from the Minister of Health and Welfare) were presented to 22 individuals in recognition of their contributions to advancing the rights and welfare of persons affected by Hansen’s disease.

Lee Sun-ja, President of the Gyeongnam Volunteer Hairdressers’ Association, received a Presidential Commendation for providing volunteer hairdressing services to Hansen’s disease settlement villages for over 22 years. Dr. Kim Yeon-sil of the Korean Hansen Welfare Association was also awarded a Presidential Commendation for her 18 years of dedicated service in early detection and rehabilitation support for individuals affected by the disease.

Alongside the formal ceremony, the “Hansen Love Festival” featured a variety of community-building activities, such as traditional Yunnori games, a talent show for families affected by Hansen’s disease, and a community photo booth experience.

In addition, the Sorokdo National Museum (SONAMU) held a feature exhibition titled “The Voices”, along with a special exhibition commemorating the hospital’s anniversary. Building on last year’s exhibition on the lives of Hansen’s disease patients from Taiwan’s Losheng Sanatorium*, this year’s display introduced the lives of patients from Japan’s Tama Zenshoen Sanatorium**, offering a comparative look at the experiences of Hansen’s disease communities in Korea and abroad.

* The Losheng Sanatorium in Taiwan, established in 1930 during Japanese colonial rule, is currently operated by Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (65 residents as of 2024)

** Tama Zenshoen, established in Tokyo in 1909, was one of Japan’s first public sanatorium for Hansen’s disease and is now operated by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (92 residents as of 2024)

These exhibitions aim to raise awareness of the historical discrimination and prejudice faced by Hansen’s disease communities in Taiwan and Japan, while delivering a message about the importance of restoring dignity and empowering those affected to speak in their own voices.

In his congratulatory remarks, MOHW Minister Cho stated, “We will continue to develop and advance policies in collaboration with Sorokdo National Hospital and the Korean Hansen Welfare Association to ensure that persons affected by Hansen’s disease can lead happier, more fulfilling lives.”

Park Jong-eok, Acting Director of Sorokdo National Hospital, said in his commemorative speech, “I hope that all who have traveled from across the country to Sorokdo today enjoy a meaningful and joyful day. Sorokdo National Hospital is actively exploring various strategies to adapt and move forward in response to the aging of Hansen’s disease communities.” ///