[Profile] Physician and Key “K-Quarantine” Leader Jeong Eunkyung Nominated as Health and Welfare Minister

First Commissioner of Disease Control During COVID-19, Known as "COVID-19 Warrior"
Entered Politics as Chief Campaign Manager for the Democratic Party in Presidential Election
Expected to Address Allegations Regarding Spouse's COVID-19-Related Stock Investments

On June 29, President Lee Jaemyung nominated Jeong Eunkyung, former commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as the candidate for Minister of Health and Welfare, a position that must prioritize resolving conflicts between the government and medical professionals. Jeong is widely recognized as an expert in infectious disease control, having led South Korea’s COVID-19 response during the Moon Jaein administration. Her leadership brought global attention to the country’s successful containment efforts, earning her the titles of “COVID-19 warrior” and even “national hero.”

Yonhap News Agency

Born in Gwangju in 1965, Jeong graduated from Seoul National University’s College of Medicine and earned both a master’s degree in public health and a doctorate in preventive medicine from the same institution. She entered public service in 1995 as a specially appointed research officer at the National Institute of Health, later serving as head of the Infectious Disease Information Division at the institute, director of the Disease Policy Division and Emergency Medical Services Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and as director of both the Disease Prevention Center and Emergency Situation Center at the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As director of the Disease Prevention Center during the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, Jeong handled media briefings and calmly communicated the government’s response. However, she was later disciplined along with then-director Yang Byeongguk and others, taking responsibility for the spread of MERS. After the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was elevated to a vice-ministerial agency, Jeong became its first female director in 2017.

When COVID-19 reached Korea in January 2020, Jeong took charge of daily briefings, communicating the latest developments and the government’s response. Her calm and credible briefings, combined with South Korea’s early success in controlling the pandemic, drew attention from leading international media outlets in the United States, Japan, and elsewhere. During the initial surge of cases in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province caused by a mass infection linked to the Shincheonji religious group, Jeong cut her hair short to save time and appeared before the public every day?even with her hair turning white from stress?to deliver updates, demonstrating tireless dedication.

After serving as the nation’s top infectious disease official for four years and ten months as both director and commissioner of the disease control agency, Jeong stepped down in May 2022. Following her retirement, she taught students as a clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Seoul National University Hospital. Last year, she declined an offer to run for the 22nd National Assembly as a candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea. However, she entered politics by serving as the chief campaign manager for the Democratic Party’s Central Election Committee during the 21st presidential election. At the time, Jeong stated, “Having experienced the state of emergency, I entered politics with the Lee Jaemyung campaign to prevent the return to power of those responsible for insurrection.”

Although Jeong had been considered the leading candidate for Minister of Health and Welfare since the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration, reports emerged that she was temporarily excluded from consideration due to suspicions regarding her spouse’s stock investments related to COVID-19. The presidential office appears to believe that Jeong will be able to adequately address these concerns during the confirmation hearing.

If appointed, Jeong would become the sixth physician to serve as Minister of Health and Welfare, and the first in eight years since Jeong Jinyeop (2015?2017). She would also be the first female minister in 14 years since Jeon Jinsuk (2010?2011).

Upon taking office, Jeong’s top priority is expected to be resolving the ongoing conflict between the government and medical professionals, which has persisted for one year and four months since February of last year. The medical community expects that, as a physician with a deep understanding of medical practice and experience collaborating with healthcare professionals during her tenure as commissioner, Jeong will play a positive role in restoring normalcy to the healthcare system. She is regarded as having both expertise and drive, as well as the ability to communicate smoothly with various stakeholders.

Jeong is also expected to faithfully implement the Lee Jaemyung administration’s healthcare policies, including strengthening public healthcare and expanding essential and regional medical services. In a radio interview during her time as campaign manager, Jeong stated, “The core of the Democratic Party’s healthcare pledge is to strengthen essential, regional, and public healthcare, and I agree with that direction. Especially as we enter a super-aged society, strengthening the state’s responsibility for care, increasing public support for nursing costs, and expanding home visits and home-based care are all very important measures.”

▲ Born in Gwangju in 1965 ▲ Graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine ▲ Master’s degree in Public Health from Seoul National University ▲ Doctorate in Preventive Medicine from Seoul National University ▲ Director of Emergency Medical Services Division, Ministry of Health and Welfare; Director of Disease Prevention Center, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Director of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ▲ Commissioner of Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency ▲ Infectious Disease Policy Researcher, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital ▲ Chief Campaign Manager, Central Election Committee for the 21st Presidential Election, Democratic Party of Korea ▲ Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital