As Privacy Concerns Grow… Plan to Abolish Gender Separation in Hospital Wards Withdrawn
As Privacy Concerns Grow… Plan to Abolish Gender Separation in Hospital Wards Withdrawn
https://www.asiae.co.kr/en/article/social-general/2026060111185651971
Publish Date: 2026-05-31 22:18:00
Source Domain: www.asiae.co.kr
Ministry Maintains Gender Separation Rules for Multi-Bed Wards
Exceptions Allowed Only for Intensive Care Units and Two-Person Rooms for Family Care
As public opposition has grown over the news that regulations separating hospital wards by gender would be abolished, the government has decided to pull back. The current regulations distinguishing between male and female wards will be maintained, with some exceptions to be allowed.
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The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on June 1 that it will revise its proposal to abolish the gender-based ward separation rules, reflecting public feedback gathered during the legislative notice period for the “Partial Amendment to the Enforcement Rules of the Medical Service Act.”
Initially, the government sought to revise the regulations to eliminate the gender-based separation standard itself, aiming to bridge the gap between the law and actual practices in medical institutions. The government explained that in multi-bed children’s wards, it has not been uncommon for wards not to be separated by gender, and there have been complaints that even couples or immediate family members could not share a room when hospitalized, increasing the burden of caregiving. The government described the move as an effort to address public inconvenience and make more efficient use of hospital bed resources.
However, as soon as the legislative notice was issued, a flood of objections appeared on platforms such as the National Legislative Center, with critics arguing that the plan failed to sufficiently consider patient privacy and safety issues. Patients pointed out that frequent activities such as changing clothes, receiving treatment, or replacing catheters take place inside the ward, and said that sharing a space with someone of the opposite sex, separated only by a curtain, constitutes a violation of privacy and human rights. There were also concerns raised…
