Welfare minister speaks at National Assembly health committee national audit

Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong answers questions at the 439th regular session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Sept. 28. [Newsis]
Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong answers questions at the 439th regular session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Sept. 28. [Newsis]

Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyeong said Wednesday that her ministry is doing its utmost to fulfill its core mission of guaranteeing the basic livelihoods of citizens, protecting them from social risks and improving the quality of life for all.

Jeong made the remarks at the National Assembly health and welfare committee's national audit, saying that amid ongoing demographic shifts, diverse policy demands are emerging across the entire social security system, including care services, healthcare and pensions.

She said the ministry's budget proposal for next year — its largest ever at 148.77 trillion won ($111 billion) — was drawn up to realize a South Korea where no life is lost for lack of care. She added that the ministry would continue to strengthen the social safety net and ensure that community-integrated care takes root on the ground.

Jeong said the ministry would also establish a more comprehensive income security system to provide greater support for low-income households, and would develop measures to strengthen multi-layered retirement income protection.

She said she takes seriously the fact that regional disparities in healthcare access and gaps in essential medical services remain issues that citizens feel acutely. The ministry would develop national university hospitals into regional hub hospitals and expand regional, essential and public healthcare to protect the lives and health of the people, she said.

Alongside this, Jeong said the ministry would support the recovery and growth of future generations, including children and youth, and push forward with AI transformation in health and welfare as well as biotech innovation.


thlee@heraldcorp.com