Ronald McDonald House to establish second facility in Seoul following successful charity walk

INCHEON — Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Korea, a Seoul-based nonprofit, will establish its second residence in Korea in southern Seoul’s Gangnam District to support families of critically ill children as they undergo long-term medical treatment.

The new house, which will be located near major hospitals, could open as early as December, RMHC Korea Chairman Jeffrey Jones said at the opening ceremony for the 2026 McDonald's Happy Walk at Incheon Munhak Stadium on Sunday. The Happy Walk is an annual charity walk hosted by McDonald's Korea to raise funds for RMHC Korea.

RMHC currently operates one house in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang, near Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital. The facility features 10 guest rooms, each with a private bathroom; a kitchen; a dining area that can seat up to 60; a children's library; a playroom; and other shared spaces.

“Among countries in Asia, Korea is the only one that does not have a Ronald McDonald House in its metropolitan area,” Jones said. “But now, we will. We signed the contract last week, and we were able to do so because of your support.”

“The Seoul metropolitan area houses one of the country's largest concentrations of pediatric hospitals, making the absence of a Ronald McDonald House there a longstanding issue for families traveling from across the country for treatment,” said RMHC Communications Supervisor Kim So-yeon. “The new Gangnam location puts the facility within proximity of several major pediatric hospitals, which will provide families staying at the house easier access to their children during extended treatment periods.”

The size of the Gangnam branch of the Ronald McDonald House has not yet been disclosed.

Sunday's walk marked the third edition of the charity event, and it ultimately raised 284.7 million won ($187,200), with more than 6,000 people showing up at the stadium in the sweltering morning heat. Each had to pledge at least 50,000 won to complete the 2.5-kilometer (1.6-mile) route. McDonald's Korea also separately donated 1 billion won to RMHC Korea in 2025 as part of its ongoing partnership with the nonprofit.

The number of participants has doubled in size since the walk's inaugural edition in May 2024, according to McDonald's Korea Managing Director Kim Ki-won.

“At our first event, we welcomed 3,000 people, and today, we are delighted to have doubled that number and welcome 6,000,” she said. “Every donation collected today will be given in full to RMHC Korea, and the funds will be used to operate the [existing] Ronald McDonald House and help build a second [one].”

“Seeing children undergoing treatment and their families staying [at the house] made me think that there should be many more spaces like it,” said actor Son Ho-jun, this year's Happy Walk ambassador, regarding his visit to the Yangsan facility in February. “A large number of children's hospitals are concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area. That's why I strongly hoped a Ronald McDonald House will be established there.”

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]