It takes 40 minutes to advance 100 meters and 3 hours to exit an underground parking lot. On July 27, 2026, major large hospitals in Seoul's downtown area have transformed into a massive "traffic nightmare" as severe patients from outside the Seoul metropolitan area concentrate in Seoul, combined with high rates of private vehicle use and the summer rainy season, creating a mix of patient suffering and complaints.

Today (27th), the areas around major hospitals in Seoul have become a place of "extreme endurance" for patients who came to hospitals with ailing bodies. Near Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital in Yangcheon-gu, a 57-year-old office worker named Lee reported that "it took 40 minutes to travel 100 meters," while online community posts complained that "it took 1 hour and 30 minutes for a 10-minute distance from home to the hospital" and "it took 1 hour to circle halfway around the hospital."

In particular, on the 21st, a 39-year-old patient at Seoul Asan Medical Center shared a shocking account that "it took 3 hours to escape from the underground parking lot." Near Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, testimonies emerged that "I barely got out in front of the hospital after 8 left-turn signals." As confirmed by reporter Kim Chae-rin on the 24th, severe congestion has appeared across the so-called "Big 5" tertiary general hospitals, including Seoul Asan Medical Center, revealing that the problem is not limited to specific hospitals.

The core cause of this traffic crisis is cited as the intensification of the "coming to Seoul for medical treatment" phenomenon among severe patients from outside the Seoul metropolitan area. According to data released by Democratic Party lawmaker Jang Jong-tae's office, the number of non-metropolitan patients at Seoul's five major tertiary general hospitals increased from 712,848 in 2022 to 797,103 in 2024, a rise of 11.8%. This is 2.5 times the 4.7% increase in metropolitan patients during the same period. As regional medical disparities deepen, the concentration of patients at major Seoul hospitals is accelerating.

The tendency of severely ill patients to prefer private vehicles due to the difficulty of using public transportation is another factor fueling traffic congestion. Patient Park, 67, said, "My body is uncomfortable, so I didn't have the courage to use public transportation, so I had no choice but to bring my car," while Seok, 81, also shared, "It's difficult for me to walk or stand for long periods due to pain, so I always use my own car when going to the hospital."

[Photo=AI generated]

Additionally, recent heavy rain and the summer monsoon season are compounding traffic congestion. Demand for indoor parking lots is surging due to bad weather, and a vicious cycle of reduced vehicle speed is repeating.

A Seoul Asan Medical Center official stated, "We operate a 5,000-space parking lot and are continuously making efforts to expand parking spaces, including the construction of additional parking towers." A parking management employee at a university hospital also said, "Nearly 20 people work at the same time to encourage communication and recommend shuttle bus use, but it's not enough to handle the influx of vehicles." Despite hospital efforts, they are facing practical limitations.

The "traffic nightmare" in front of major Seoul hospitals goes beyond a simple traffic congestion problem. It clearly demonstrates that this is a complex social issue involving imbalances in the regional medical system, the unique transportation methods of severe patients, and seasonal factors. Hospital-level efforts alone have clear limitations in resolving this confused situation.

Ultimately, from a long-term perspective, there is an urgent need to develop more fundamental and multifaceted social solutions to strengthen regional medical infrastructure and enhance patient convenience. The "traffic nightmare" at major Seoul hospitals is now becoming a serious social issue that can no longer be overlooked.