Gukga-bi Deletes 'Health Insurance Fee Explanation'... Suspended During Overseas Stay but "Pays Honestly"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] YouTuber Gukgabi claimed that she paid health insurance premiums even during her stay abroad, amid criticism for violating the two-week quarantine guidelines after returning from overseas.

Earlier, on the 10th, Gukgabi posted a video on her YouTube channel 'Gukgabi GabieKook' showing a birthday party at home during her self-quarantine period.

As the voices of criticism grew louder, Gukgabi issued an apology on the 11th, stating, "I am sorry for making many people uncomfortable and causing concern."

Gukgabi explained the status of her health insurance premium payments, saying, "Some people are curious about my nationality and National Health Insurance status."

In the apology, Gukgabi stated, "As a Korean citizen, I want to be someone who earns money honorably and pays taxes honorably, so I have been faithfully paying health insurance premiums, income tax, and local taxes."

Previously, on the 24th of last month, Gukgabi revealed in a YouTube video titled 'UK Hospital... I don't think I can wait any longer' that she was receiving treatment for endometriosis in the UK.

In the video, Gukgabi expressed losing hope due to the expensive consultation fees for treatment in the UK, saying, "I have better options; do I really have to go to a private hospital in the UK?" The statement was accompanied by subtitles saying, "Fortunately, I am also paying Korean National Health Insurance premiums."

However, contrary to Gukgabi's statement, Article 54, Paragraph 2 of the National Health Insurance Act states that "in the case of staying abroad," insurance benefits are not provided during that period.

Following the controversy over violating quarantine rules and the health insurance premium payment issue, as the controversy did not subside, Gukgabi eventually posted a revised apology on the same day.

In the revised apology, Gukgabi stated, "I will suspend content filming and production activities for the time being and make my best efforts to fulfill my responsibilities as a content creator through sufficient reflection." However, the content related to health insurance premium payments was deleted.