JINAN - Kim Hyung-ho arrived in China from the Republic of Korea on Aug 24,1992, which happened to be the same day that the two countries officially established diplomatic relations. Kim, just 19 at the time, came to China to study traditional Chinese medicine, a medical system with thousands of years of history and which enjoys popularity in many countries.
Kim's passion for TCM took root in his teenage years after he had a twisted ankle treated with acupuncture. "It's incredible that a little needle can have such magical powers. That experience inspired me to learn authentic TCM in the place from which it originated," recalls Kim.
During his 11 years of study in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, and Beijing, Kim learned from renowned experts in acupuncture and moxibustion to become proficient in both therapies.
In 2013, he was hired as a TCM specialist by the international clinic of Qingdao Municipal Hospital (Group) in East China's Shandong province, becoming one of over 100,000 ROK nationals settling down in the coastal city.
"Doctor Kim is a professional, hardworking and nice," says Sun Jie, director of the clinic. "He also helps bridge the communication gap between our staff and Korean patients."
With a specialty in acupuncture therapies for neurological diseases, Kim has treated numerous patients suffering from strokes or other neurological disorders. For those who have difficulty moving around, Kim will go to the patient's home to offer treatment.
Apart from his daily work, Kim has also volunteered to provide free medical consultations in the countryside. Through regular consultations, he found that many rural people have been suffering from chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia, but are not aware of the severity of their conditions, let alone attend regular checkups.
As a result, Kim led fellow volunteers to compile lists of people with chronic illnesses from different villages. The lists were handed to local authorities to keep track of the patients' treatment.
While in the countryside, Kim also provided guidance and carried out tutorials for village doctors, which helped improve the standard of treatment in the area.
Three decades have passed since Kim set foot in China, and he's very grateful for what he has gained in the country, especially after he started his own family in Qingdao. His daughter is 5 years old.
As the two countries celebrate their 30 years of diplomatic ties this year, Kim feels even more obligated to better play a role in bilateral exchanges using his expertise.
"Medicine knows no boundaries. As a TCM practitioner, I will continue to communicate with my counterparts in the ROK and other countries to help it spread and flourish even further, so that more people can understand its excellence," says Kim.
