Kang Do-tae, Director of NHIS, Retires... "Health Insurance Reform Must Be Pursued from a New Perspective"

Kang Do-tae, President of the National Health Insurance Service.

Kang Do-tae, the President of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), who decided to resign with 1 year and 10 months remaining in his term, urged vigorous promotion of health insurance reform, long-term care insurance development, and management system innovation.

In his farewell remarks on the 6th, President Kang stated, "The government's plan to enhance the sustainability of health insurance and the direction to strengthen support for essential medical services and vulnerable groups have been established," adding, "Our NHIS must prepare detailed implementation plans for the tasks assigned to us and carry them out faithfully."

Reflecting on his 1 year and 2 months in office, he said, "During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and global complex crises, economic difficulties persisted, and with the launch of the new government, health insurance reform and public institution management innovation became important tasks. We set the goal as 'A Rebound of Health Insurance for a Healthier Tomorrow' and established the promotion system and foundation to create a stronger, more sustainable health coverage and an innovative NHIS."

President Kang further explained his reason for resignation, saying, "I believe it is important to vigorously promote health insurance reform, long-term care insurance development, and management system innovation from a new perspective. Now, with the hope that health insurance, elderly long-term care insurance, and our NHIS will soar higher, stronger, and newer, I want to pass on this role to my successor." He also emphasized, "I ask that you strive to realize the new vision of 'Happy People, Healthy Korea, Reliable Health Insurance' and to ensure that the proud health insurance and elderly long-term care insurance systems, as well as the NHIS, receive even stronger public support and trust."

Meanwhile, President Kang was appointed as NHIS President in December 2021 at the end of the previous administration, after serving as Director General of the Health Insurance Policy Bureau, Director General of the Health and Medical Policy Office, Director General of the Planning and Coordination Office, and Second Vice Minister at the Ministry of Health and Welfare. His original term was set to expire in December next year. This is the second time that a head of a Ministry of Health and Welfare-affiliated agency appointed by the previous government has resigned before completing their term. Previously, Kim Yong-jin, former President of the National Pension Service, resigned in April last year with 1 year and 4 months remaining. In the case of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Director Kim Sun-min's term ends next month, and the recruitment process for a new director is underway.