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Four South Korean Hospitals Earn Top 'Green Hospital' Rating from Newsweek

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Four major South Korean hospitals received the highest "Green Hospital" rating from Newsweek's 2026 evaluation.
  • Seoul Asan Medical Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, and Severance Hospital were among the 34 global hospitals awarded the top tier.
  • Newsweek cited hospitals' efforts to mitigate environmental impacts from high energy consumption, medical waste, and chemical emissions as reasons for the recognition.

Four leading South Korean hospitals have achieved the highest "Green Hospital" rating in Newsweek's latest assessment, recognizing their commitment to environmental sustainability. Seoul Asan Medical Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, and Severance Hospital were included in the publication's "2026 World's Greenest Hospitals" list.

Globally, only 34 hospitals received the top designation, with 12 located in the Asia-Pacific region. The inclusion of these four prominent South Korean institutions highlights their significant efforts in environmental stewardship within the healthcare sector. Newsweek noted that the high energy consumption, generation of single-use medical waste, and chemical emissions from hospital operations can exacerbate environment-related illnesses.

Furthermore, Seoul Asan Medical Center and Samsung Medical Center were also recognized as "Outstanding Green Infrastructure Hospitals." The evaluation process involved a comprehensive analysis of sustainability performance, expert recommendations, certifications, and transparency in information disclosure for hospitals engaged in sustainability initiatives.

This recognition underscores a growing trend among major healthcare providers worldwide to address their environmental footprint. By prioritizing sustainable practices, these hospitals not only contribute to a healthier planet but also set a benchmark for the industry, demonstrating that advanced medical care can coexist with environmental responsibility.

High energy consumption, single-use medical waste, and chemical emissions generated during hospital treatment are causes that worsen environment-related diseases.

โ€” NewsweekNewsweek explaining the environmental impact of hospitals and the reasons for the green hospital evaluation.
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Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.