South Korea Seeks Hospitals to Expand Acute Mental Health ICU Beds

The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced a plan to expand the number of intensive treatment unit beds for acute mental illness. This initiative aims to strengthen the country’s mental health infrastructure by inviting designated hospitals to increase their capacity for critical mental health care.

Under the new recruitment plan, medical institutions currently recognized as “acute mental illness intensive treatment hospitals” are eligible to apply. The ministry is specifically looking for these facilities to expand their intensive treatment unit beds, which are crucial for providing specialized and focused care to patients experiencing severe mental health crises.

Interested hospitals must submit their applications and all required supporting documents within the specified period. The application window opens on Monday, March 30, 2026, and closes promptly at 6:00 PM KST on Friday, April 17, 2026.

This expansion is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to improve access and quality of care for individuals with acute mental health conditions. By increasing the number of specialized beds, the Ministry of Health and Welfare seeks to ensure that more patients can receive timely and effective treatment during critical periods, thereby improving recovery outcomes and reducing the burden on emergency services.

Further details regarding the application process and necessary documents can be found in the official announcement (Announcement No. 2026-285) published by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Eligible hospitals are encouraged to review these materials thoroughly before submitting their applications.

Source: 보건복지부 — Original Article (Korean)