Jung Ho-young, Minister of Health and Welfare Nominee, "Will Successfully Complete COVID-19 Return to Normal Life"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Jeong Ho-young, nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, stated on the 10th, "If appointed as Minister of Health and Welfare, I will do my best to realize a meticulous and robust welfare system for the health of the people and the vulnerable groups whose conditions have worsened due to COVID-19."

Jeong expressed these thoughts on his appointment, saying, "I feel a great sense of mission and responsibility as the first Minister of Health and Welfare in the new government."

Jeong first said, "I will reorganize the quarantine and healthcare system to successfully complete the recovery of daily life from COVID-19 and to respond proactively and scientifically to any resurgence of COVID-19 or the emergence of new infectious diseases." He also added that he would respond actively and preemptively to vaccine and treatment development and the advancement of cutting-edge medical fields.

He continued, "In response to the rapid demographic changes, I will implement customized welfare for children, adolescents, parents, and the elderly, and create a society where growth and welfare can form a virtuous cycle."

He also stated his intention to faithfully carry out the national agenda to be finalized by the Presidential Transition Committee in the future.

Jeong said, "Through the upcoming National Assembly confirmation hearing, I will explain in detail the policy plans I have in mind, seek advice from many people, and do my utmost to realize a happy and healthy life for the people."

President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol explained the background of Jeong’s appointment at a press conference on the same day, saying, "He has been involved in cancer surgery and medical administration for 37 years," and "During the early outbreak of COVID-19 in Daegu in 2020, he operated the Living Support Center and established an operational system to ensure that treatment for severe patients and general emergency patients was carried out without gaps."

He expressed expectations that Jeong, based on his expertise and administrative capabilities, would smoothly promote the new government’s medical policies, including overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and strengthening medical publicness.

In the briefing on his nomination, Jeong said, "President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol currently recognizes the infectious disease situation engulfing the entire country as a very serious threat to national security. I will consider how to respond appropriately."

▶ Born November 16, 1960, Seonsan, Gyeongbuk ▶ Daegu Yeongshin High School (1979) ▶ Kyungpook National University College of Medicine (1985) ▶ Master’s in Medicine, Kyungpook National University (1988) ▶ Ph.D. in Medicine, Kyungpook National University (1995) ▶ Specialist in Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital (1990) ▶ Military Medical Officer (Captain, 9th Infantry Division and 37th Infantry Division, 1990?1993) ▶ Head of Surgery and Director of Medical Affairs, Daegu Red Cross Hospital (1993?1998) ▶ Professor, Department of Surgery and Medical Informatics, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine (1998?present) ▶ Specialist in Surgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital (1998?present) ▶ Visiting Professor, ISIS Center, Georgetown University School of Medicine, USA (2002?2004) ▶ Director of Public Relations, Kyungpook National University Hospital (2005) ▶ Director of Medical Informatics Center, Kyungpook National University Hospital (2007) ▶ Director of Planning and Coordination, Kyungpook National University Hospital (2009) ▶ Director of Medical Services, Kyungpook National University Hospital (2014) ▶ President, Kyungpook National University Hospital (2017?2020) ▶ Auditor, Korean Association of Tertiary Hospitals (2018?2020) ▶ Executive Director, Korean Hospital Association (2018?2020) ▶ Non-executive Director, Seoul National University Hospital (2018?2021) ▶ President, Korean Society of Medical Informatics (2019) ▶ President, Korean Gastric Cancer Association (2020)