Yoon: "Full Effort to Ensure No Disruptions in Chuseok Emergency Medical Care... Significant Increase in Health Insurance Fees"

Temporary Increase in Health Insurance Fees... Resolving Holiday Gaps
Yoon "Restoring All Korea-Japan Government Consultative Bodies... Vigorous Cooperation"
"We Must Learn from the Paralympics... Medals Are Not Important"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 10th at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized on the 10th, "During the Chuseok holiday period, the central and local governments are working together to establish special measures to ensure that the emergency medical system operates without any disruptions," adding, "We will invest financial resources to secure as much emergency room medical personnel as possible."

In his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning, President Yoon stated, "From tomorrow until the 25th, we will operate a 'Chuseok Holiday Emergency Medical Week' for two weeks and designate on-duty medical institutions to ensure there are no disruptions in medical services during the holiday."

Yoon: "Significant Increase in Health Insurance Fees Before and After Chuseok"

President Yoon said, "This Chuseok holiday, many more hospitals and clinics have applied to be on-duty medical institutions compared to last Lunar New Year or previous years," and expressed gratitude, "We thank the hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and medical personnel, including nurses, who have participated to protect the health of our citizens, and we ask for even more medical institutions to join."

He continued, "The government has decided to temporarily raise health insurance fees such as consultation and dispensing fees significantly before and after the Chuseok holiday to somewhat repay the dedication of medical professionals," explaining, "In particular, the consultation fees for specialists at regional emergency medical centers responsible for severe emergency patients have been increased to about 3.5 times the usual level." This is interpreted as an effort to increase the number of emergency rooms open during the holiday by raising fees and consultation charges.

President Yoon acknowledged the public's recent concerns about gaps in emergency medical care but emphasized that according to government guidance during the Chuseok holiday, people can receive medical services without worry.

President Yoon said, "In cases of mild symptoms, please visit the nearest hospital or clinic that is open," adding, "You can easily find open hospitals and clinics by calling 129 or by searching the Emergency Medical Portal e-Gen and map applications on portal sites."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 10th at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

"Vibrant Korea-Japan Cooperation... Citizens Should Feel the Improvement in Relations"

President Yoon also mentioned the outcomes of the Korea-Japan summit held with Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who visited Korea on the 6th.

President Yoon said, "Through a total of 12 summits, the previously severed intergovernmental consultative bodies have all been restored. Cooperation between the two countries is actively taking place in various fields such as diplomacy, defense, economy, advanced technology, education, and human exchanges," explaining, "In particular, export controls in the semiconductor sector have been lifted, and the whitelist status for strategic material exports has been restored."

He mentioned the resumption of the Korea-Japan currency swap after eight years and the establishment of the Economic Security Dialogue and Hydrogen Cooperation Dialogue, stating, "Cooperation between the two countries is gaining momentum."

Regarding the Memorandum of Cooperation for the Protection of Overseas Nationals and the promotion of simplified immigration procedures concluded between Korea and Japan during this summit, he urged, "Please ensure the smooth implementation of cooperative projects between the two countries so that citizens can feel the effects of improved Korea-Japan relations," appealing to relevant ministries.

President Yoon also spoke about the recently concluded Paris Paralympics, saying, "Our country sent 83 athletes, the largest number ever, competing in 17 events, delivering memorable performances in every competition." He added, "It does not matter who won which medal. The athletes' performances themselves are inspiring and are the gold medal."

President Yoon said, "Our citizens, especially the future generations, should watch, support, and learn from their challenges and fighting spirit," emphasizing, "If we do not give up and do our best,

there is nothing we cannot achieve." He continued, "We will spare no support so that more athletes with disabilities can pursue their dreams through sports," and added, "We hope the public will also show greater interest in disabled sports."