Governor Kim Young-rok Requests Tax Benefits and Medical Support to the Prime Minister

On-site Inspection of Hospital Ships and Obstetrics in Vulnerable Areas
Han Deok-su: "Preparing Various Support Measures with Relevant Ministries"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok visited the hospital ship (Jeonnam 511) docked at Yeosu exclusive pier on the 29th, touring the internal medical facilities and equipment while encouraging the staff. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, explained the regional medical policies of Jeollanam-do to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on the 29th and requested cooperation for the prompt processing of the amended Restriction of Special Taxation Act, which includes hospital ship fuel costs in the exemption from petroleum value-added tax.

On the same day, Governor Kim, along with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Shim Jong-seop, Director of the Social Coordination Office at the Office for Government Policy Coordination, and about ten others, visited the hospital ship providing essential medical services on the front lines and Gwangyang Mirae Women’s Clinic, the only maternity clinic in Gwangyang City, to encourage the medical staff and listen to their difficulties.

At the meeting, Governor Kim emphasized, “Among the inhabited islands of Jeollanam-do, 60% have no medical facilities at all. To ensure medical accessibility for island residents, it is necessary to operate hospital ships and run maternity obstetrics clinics to create a safe pregnancy and childbirth environment.”

He then requested active cooperation to include hospital ship fuel costs, which are currently fully funded by the provincial government, as a tax-exempt item so that the currently proposed amendment to the Restriction of Special Taxation Act can be promptly processed.

In response, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated, “The government will work with relevant ministries to prepare various support measures to ensure the continued operation of hospital ships and maternity obstetrics clinics.”

Meanwhile, Jeollanam-do also proposed the establishment of a national medical school in Jeollanam-do, additional national funding to maintain emergency medical services in rural fishing villages, increased national funding for expanding regional responsibility medical institutions, and the expansion of home visit medical fees for integrated elderly medical and care support projects.