Candidate Jo Gyu-hong: "Health is Welfare in a Broad Sense... Health and Welfare Must Go Together"

Health and Welfare Minister Confirmation Hearing on the 27th

Cho Kyu-hong, nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, is attending the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the 27th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Cho Kyu-hong, nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, expressed the view that "health and welfare should go together" regarding the 'health-welfare separation plan.'

Cho responded this way on the afternoon of the 27th during the resumed confirmation hearing of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, in response to a question from Go Young-in, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (Gyeonggi Ansan Danwon-gu Gap).

Regarding the mention by Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, that the health-welfare separation plan is under review, Go asked, "If President Yoon Seok-yeol pushes for the separation and reorganization of health and welfare, what stance would you take if you become minister?" Earlier this month, Minister Lee said in an interview with a media outlet that he is reviewing a plan to split the Ministry of Health and Welfare into a Ministry of Health and a Ministry of Welfare.

In response, Cho said, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has stated that it is not reviewing the separation of health and welfare," adding, "Even aside from that, in an era of low birthrate and aging population, care and medical services should be linked or integrated and supported, and since that provides the best service from the beneficiary's perspective, I believe health and welfare should go together."

When Go further asked, "If the separation of (health and welfare) is pushed forward, would you take a stance opposing it?" Cho explained, "I will fully explain and persuade from my position. Health broadly falls under welfare."