Yoon "I Was Also a Premature Baby... Will Create an Environment Where Mothers and Babies Can Receive Treatment with Peace of Mind" (Comprehensive)

First Domestic Quintuplets Hospitalized Visit Seoul St. Mary's Hospital
Visited Hospital After One Month to Check Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
"Establish Mother-Child Medical Network and Increase Medical Expense Support"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the 'Meeting to Support the Healthy Growth of Premature Infants' held on the 28th at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. Photo by Yonhap News

President Yoon Suk-yeol visited Seoul St. Mary's Hospital on the morning of the 28th, where the first naturally conceived quintuplets in Korea, born last September, are hospitalized, stating, "We will first create an environment where mothers and children can receive treatment with peace of mind together."

This hospital visit by President Yoon is his first in about a month since visiting Jeju National University Hospital last October, and the 13th since the medical reform announcement in February. The presidential office also noted that this is the first time a sitting president has visited a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Upon arriving at the hospital, President Yoon first visited the NICU and attentively listened to the medical staff about the treatment status of the quintuplets and other premature infants. Seoul St. Mary's Hospital operates a 50-bed NICU, where an average of 500 to 550 high-risk newborns are admitted annually for treatment.

President Yoon said, "I was also born prematurely weighing 2.3 kg," and looked at Sae-him, the first of the quintuplets, asking about her weight and whether her eyes were open. Professor Yoon Young-ah, the attending physician, replied, "She was born weighing 900g, and now she weighs 2.1 kg," adding, "Her eyes are open, she moves and cries, and we are planning her discharge soon." President Yoon smiled and waved his hand, saying while looking into Sae-him's eyes, "Oh my, oh my. It seems like she is smiling at me."

Afterward, President Yoon attended a meeting where he exchanged opinions on the experiences and difficulties of parents of premature infants, including the quintuplets, as well as suggestions from medical staff regarding necessary support for the health of premature babies.

"Significant Strengthening of Support Throughout the Entire Process of Premature Birth, Treatment, and Parenting"

President Yoon expressed, "I was deeply moved to see the precious lives being saved in the NICU, such as extremely low birth weight and high-risk newborns," and added, "I also saw the quintuplets, and they are truly very beautiful." He continued, "Premature infants must be hospitalized in intensive care units for a long time immediately after birth, and the parenting burden on parents is heavy. The government will significantly strengthen support throughout the entire process of premature birth, treatment, and parenting." As of last year, the number of premature infants born before 37 weeks of gestation combined with low birth weight infants born under 2.5 kg reached 28,000.

President Yoon emphasized, "We will establish a maternal and child medical network to respond swiftly to emergencies involving pregnant women, and we will greatly increase the medical expense support limit, which currently covers up to 10 million won, to alleviate the medical cost burden on parents." He also pledged to strengthen support for medical staff, stating, "We will enhance compensation for neonatal and high-risk maternal intensive care units, including for premature infants, and increase fees for high-difficulty medical procedures such as surgeries for children under 1.5 kg to empower medical personnel."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is holding a 'Meeting to Support the Healthy Growth of Premature Infants' at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital on the 28th. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Jun-young, the father of the quintuplets, shared his concerns, saying, "As an ordinary working couple like us, we worry about whether we can afford the medical expenses for our children," and added, "I hope economic worries do not overshadow the joy of birth. We would appreciate policies that support us so that we do not have to worry about finances from the moment our child is born." In response, the president promised full support, saying, "Please don't worry too much."

Jeong Hye-eun, who gave birth to and is raising premature triplets two years ago, expressed, "In cases of multiple pregnancies, it is almost impossible to get fetal insurance due to risks like premature birth." President Yoon instructed the Minister of Health and Welfare to "consider support so that the state can take care of this from pregnancy, not just after birth," and Minister Cho Kyu-hong responded, "We will discuss fetal insurance for multiples and premature infants with financial institutions."

Professor Yoon Young-ah, a pediatrician at the hospital's NICU, said, "Avoidance of high-risk work involving life is due to insufficient compensation," and added, "I hope support is provided so that young and talented doctors can take pride and dedicate themselves to life-saving work in high-difficulty medical procedures and intensive care."

When President Yoon said, "I wonder if we should provide more support not only for procedure fees but also for policy fees," Minister Cho replied, "By the end of this year, we will normalize about 900 fees including those for severe surgeries, and by 2027, we will resolve the issue of low fees," adding, "If fee increases are insufficient, we will find ways to strengthen compensation through financial support."

Yoon: "NICU Visit Was the Most Profound Impression Since Becoming President"

President Yoon said, "While promoting medical reform, I have visited many hospitals and industrial sites, but seeing the NICU today was the most profound impression since becoming president."

Professor Hong Soo-bin, an obstetrician caring for high-risk pregnant women, said, "Doctors are diligently monitoring so that they can treat and deliver mothers day and night without holidays," and added with emotion, "Compensation for these doctors is very insufficient, and the number of doctors specializing in obstetrics continues to decline." She emphasized, "An organic cooperative system that can treat high-risk mothers and newborns together is very important."

After the meeting, President Yoon gifted hanbok to eight children, including the quintuplets who will soon celebrate their first birthday and the triplets who recently turned two, wishing for their healthy and happy growth.

The meeting was attended by parents of premature infants including the quintuplets, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Director Yoon Seung-gyu, medical staff from pediatrics, obstetrics, and nursing departments. From the government, Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong participated, and from the presidential office, Policy Chief Seong Tae-yoon and Low Birthrate Response Chief Yoo Hye-mi were present.