Yoon: "The Most Urgent Task Is Medical Reform... Plan to Improve Real-Expense Insurance to Be Prepared Within the Year" (Comprehensive)

At the State Council Meeting: "Focus Efforts on Advancing the Four Major Reform Tasks"
"Speed Up Reforms on Non-Covered Medical Services and Actual Expense Insurance"
"Russia and North Korea's Illegal Military Alliance... A Serious Issue for Security"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking while presiding over the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on the 29th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 29th, "In the remaining two months, the government must focus its capabilities above all on advancing the four major reform tasks," adding, "The most urgent task is medical reform." He specifically called for the preparation of an improvement plan for indemnity insurance within the year to lead the normalization of the medical system and establish a cooperative system. Regarding North Korea’s deployment of troops to Russia, he described it as "a serious matter that could threaten our security" and urged thorough risk management.

In his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning, President Yoon said, "The pursuit of the four major reforms?medical reform, pension reform, labor reform, and education reform?is directly linked to people’s livelihoods," emphasizing, "Without structural reform across society, there is neither livelihood nor the future of the nation."

President Yoon stressed, "The success or failure of the reforms depends on the hands of public officials," and added, "In the next two months, we must thoroughly check the progress of the four major reforms and devote all efforts to ensure that key projects yield results."

He particularly urged that the medical system be maintained flawlessly to avoid any disruption in patient care during the winter season. President Yoon said, "Respiratory diseases like COVID-19 and cardiovascular diseases among the elderly are especially vulnerable to the cold winter," and requested, "Please prepare emergency systems and critical care management firmly so that the public does not feel anxious."

"Tertiary General Hospitals Must Become ‘Critical Care-Centered Hospitals’"

Referring to the 'Support Project for the Structural Transformation of Tertiary General Hospitals,' which was announced as the first task of medical reform and for which 18 tertiary general hospitals applied and were selected, President Yoon said, "I hope more hospitals will join the medical reform within the year to eradicate the practice of over-reliance on residents’ excessive labor and to make tertiary general hospitals reborn as ‘critical care-centered hospitals’ through all efforts."

He also urged accelerating the reform of non-reimbursable medical expenses and indemnity insurance, scheduled as the second task of medical reform. President Yoon said, "If non-reimbursable expenses and indemnity insurance do not harmonize with the public insurance system of health insurance, it is like pouring water into a bottomless container," and instructed, "The Financial Services Commission Chairman and the Minister of Health and Welfare should prepare an improvement plan for indemnity insurance within the year to lead the normalization of the medical system and establish a cooperative system."

He continued, "Measures to address the judicial risks of medical accidents, which have driven doctors working in essential medical fields away from the frontlines, should also be prepared swiftly," adding, "Parts that can be implemented immediately, such as improvements in investigative procedures, should be promoted so that they can be felt directly on the ground, and efforts should be made to promptly propose the Medical Accident Special Act along with a reasonable dispute mediation system so that it can be thoroughly discussed in the National Assembly."

President Yoon hinted at speeding up pension reform, a critical issue for people’s livelihoods. "The government has presented a unified pension reform plan for the first time in 21 years to revitalize pension reform discussions," he said, adding, "I expect visible progress as the National Assembly quickly establishes a discussion structure and conducts in-depth discussions including public opinion gathering."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking while presiding over the Cabinet meeting held at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul on the 29th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding labor reform, he explained, "Now is the time to accelerate structural reforms that expand job opportunities for the people," adding, "By making the labor system more flexible so that workers and companies can freely choose various working hours and methods, many sustainable jobs can be created." He further urged, "Please actively participate in social dialogues, including discussions at the Economic, Social and Labor Council (ESLC), to broaden public consensus on labor reform and find the best solutions."

"Preschool Integration: Establish Standards Including Teacher Qualifications by Year-End"

Regarding education reform, President Yoon said, "We must produce tangible results focusing on core tasks so that a distinctly changed educational environment can be felt from next year," and ordered, "Please finalize the integration standards, including teacher qualifications, for preschool integration by the end of the year through thorough opinion gathering." He also said, "To ensure that the AI digital textbooks, introduced for the first time next year, settle well in the field, teacher training and internet infrastructure must be thoroughly prepared." As the university support system (RISE), which helps universities nurture local talent and grow together with the region, will expand to 17 cities and provinces nationwide next year, he urged the Ministry of Education to ensure it operates properly from the first year of nationwide implementation.

President Yoon emphasized, "The four major reforms are national tasks that cannot be achieved by the efforts of a few ministries alone," and said, "I hope all Cabinet members actively cooperate with the mindset that this is their own responsibility."

On the occasion of 'Local Autonomy and Balanced Development Day,' President Yoon said, "The government will make every effort to strengthen regional competitiveness and enable each region to develop by leveraging its characteristics," adding, "We will boldly shift the weight of authority and responsibility to local governments, and the central government will become a strong supporter backing the success of local governments."

He also promised support for 'family caregiving youth,' referring to a tragic incident in 2021 where a young person in their 20s, caring alone for a sick father, eventually gave up caregiving and the father passed away. President Yoon said, "Neglecting those in difficulty does not align with the values of freedom pursued by our government," and added, "We must expand tailored support for family caregiving youth across all aspects of life, including basic areas such as nursing and caregiving, as well as scholarships, jobs, psychological counseling, and housing."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking while presiding over the Cabinet meeting held on the 29th at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Especially, given the recent high concerns about external uncertainties, President Yoon ordered timely responses to prevent supply chains, oil prices, and exchange rates from adversely affecting the economy. He pointed out, "As the war in Ukraine continues into its third year, North Korea has not only supplied weapons to Russia but also deployed troops," and said, "The illegal military collusion between Russia and North Korea is a serious security threat to the international community and a grave matter that could harm our security."

He continued, "We must thoroughly examine all possibilities and prepare countermeasures," and urged, "Everyone should maintain vigilance and engage in risk management."

Regarding the second anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy, President Yoon said, "I pray for the souls of those who tragically passed away and offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved families who live with sorrow," adding, "Protecting the daily lives of the people and creating a safe society is the true way to mourn the victims."