The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) of Korea has unveiled its 2025 policy roadmap, aiming to enhance public health, strengthen welfare systems, and address the challenges of an aging society. Under the vision of "Building a Healthy and Happy Welfare State," the ministry has outlined key priorities, including robust support for vulnerable groups, visible healthcare reforms, customized care systems, and proactive aging society strategies.
1. Comprehensive Welfare for Vulnerable Groups
The MOHW has raised the median income threshold, a key benchmark for eligibility across 74 welfare programs, by 6.42%—the highest increase to date. This move aims to lower barriers to accessing welfare for disadvantaged populations.
Key Measures:
- Expanded Financial Support
- A monthly increase of KRW 118,000 in basic livelihood benefits for a family of four.
- Reduced financial burden on medical aid recipients by lowering support ratios for dependents (first adjustment in 16 years).
- Support for Seniors, Children, and People with Disabilities
- Creation of 1.1 million senior jobs.
- A 2.3% increase in basic pensions and disability benefits.
- Transition of adoption procedures to a state-led system for domestic and international adoptions.
- Introduction of emergency care support for newborns awaiting placement at KRW 1 million per month for up to three months.
To strengthen outreach, the government plans to enhance AI-based initial counseling systems and extend emergency monitoring services for the elderly and disabled nationwide.
2. Visible Healthcare Reforms
The MOHW has outlined bold healthcare reforms to improve access and quality while addressing urgent needs in the medical system.
Enhancing the Medical Workforce and Conditions:
- Reduced Working Hours for Medical Residents
- Pilot project reducing weekly working hours from 80 to 72.
- Improved Medical Accessibility
- Expanding regional emergency care networks.
- Establishing 10 new centers for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease treatment.
Cost Reduction and Universal Coverage:
- Expanding health insurance coverage for essential treatments and rare diseases.
- Transforming non-essential services into managed care with price regulation.
- Initiating pilot programs to reduce insurance approval times for rare disease treatments to 150 days.
3. Personalized Care for Every Need
The ministry aims to integrate medical, nursing, and care services into a unified system that ensures aging citizens can live comfortably in their communities.
Key Initiatives:
- Integrated Care System Expansion
- Increasing pilot regions and scaling services to provide tailored care.
- Developing local standards and operational guidelines for consistent service delivery.
- Support for Individuals with Disabilities
- Creation of two new 24-hour emergency care centers for severe developmental disabilities.
- Expansion of activity support services and healthcare facilities for disabled children.
- Elderly and Family Care
- Higher reimbursement limits for at-home services.
- Increasing infrastructure for senior-friendly housing and daycare services.
4. Proactive Measures for an Aging Society
Recognizing the rapid transition to a super-aged society, the MOHW is pushing forward with sustainable pension reforms and enhanced health insurance transparency.
Supporting Young Families:
- Lowering Childbirth and Parenting Costs
- Subsidized fertility and preservation treatments for both men and women.
- Parity between natural and cesarean delivery costs.
- Expansion of daycare services to include more working grandparents.
Fostering the Biohealth Industry:
- KRW 1 trillion investment in healthcare R&D.
- Advanced medical data systems and biopharmaceutical innovation.
- Recruitment of 190,000 participants for a national bio big data initiative.
5. A Welfare State Citizens Can Trust
The MOHW’s 2025 agenda emphasizes the importance of tangible benefits that citizens can experience directly. To this end, the ministry is improving medical care systems, expanding access to welfare, and driving innovation in the healthcare sector.
The ministry’s comprehensive roadmap reflects a commitment to addressing pressing challenges while preparing for the future. From reducing healthcare costs to ensuring quality care for seniors and fostering groundbreaking medical research, Korea continues to set an example in building an inclusive welfare state.
Source: Republic of Korea Policy Briefing (www.korea.kr)
