코리아타임뉴스 이아름 기자 | SEOUL, June 2, 2026 — Professor Soo-Bong Choi, professor emeritus at Konkuk University and founder of SOOIL Development Co., Ltd., announced today that he and the company will expand their free insulin pump support program for low-income and medically vulnerable diabetes patients, particularly those suffering from severe diabetic complications.

The expanded initiative is intended to help patients who face serious diabetes-related complications but are unable to continue insulin pump therapy because of financial hardship. Support will focus on insulin pump devices, replacement pumps, essential supplies, and related treatment access in cooperation with medical professionals.

“For nearly five decades, my work has focused on helping people with diabetes maintain access to effective treatment,” said Professor Choi. “This expanded support is intended to help patients who face serious complications but cannot continue therapy because of financial hardship. No patient should have to stop treatment simply because they cannot afford it.”

Founded in 1979, SOOIL Development is recognized as one of the early companies to commercialize portable insulin pump technology. Its DANA insulin pump was released commercially in 1980 and has since been used by patients in countries around the world.

Professor Choi and SOOIL Development have also received major national honors in recognition of their contributions to Korea’s medical technology and export growth, including the Presidential Award, the Prime Minister’s Citation, and the USD 5 million and USD 7 million Export Tower awards.

Expanding Access as Korea Recognizes Pancreatic Disability

The expansion comes as Korea prepares to recognize pancreatic disability as a legal disability category for qualifying patients with type 1 diabetes beginning July 1, 2026.

In line with this policy change, Professor Choi and SOOIL Development plan to expand support for patients with severe diabetic complications and disabilities, particularly those at risk of limb necrosis, vision loss, or other serious complications who may be unable to continue treatment because of financial hardship.

The program reflects a broader goal: ensuring that access to insulin pump therapy does not depend solely on a patient’s ability to pay.

A 25-Year Commitment to Low-Income and Severely Ill Diabetes Patients

The expanded program builds on a long-standing charitable effort. For 25 years, Professor Choi and SOOIL Development have provided insulin pumps and related support free of charge to low-income patients and patients suffering from severe diabetes-related complications.

Many of the patients supported through these efforts have been adults facing advanced complications, financial hardship, or barriers to continuing treatment. The support has been carried out through the company’s in-house volunteer group, the Insulin Pump Association, and diabetes insulin pump seminars.

Over the years, these efforts have helped patients who might otherwise have been forced to interrupt or abandon treatment because of cost.

Rather than a one-time donation, the program has focused on continuity of care — helping patients maintain access to the devices and supplies they need to manage diabetes in daily life.

Long-Term Support Beyond Initial Treatment

One example of this commitment began in 2010, when Professor Choi helped arrange treatment in Korea for a young Afghan patient whose diabetes had become difficult to manage amid the hardships of war.

At the request of the patient’s local doctors, Professor Choi covered the cost of round-trip airfare, accommodation, and treatment-related expenses for both the patien.