Jeonbuk Province Ushers in 4 Trillion Won Welfare Era... Strengthening Lifelong Care System

38% of the Provincial Budget Allocated to Build a Comprehensive Safety Net

Jeonbuk Provincial Government Office building. Provided by Jeonbuk Province

In response to rapid population aging and the increase in single-person households, Jeonbuk Province has allocated a welfare and health budget of 4.0418 trillion won this year to establish a comprehensive, resident-centered welfare safety net.

According to Jeonbuk Province on January 8, the province has focused its policy capabilities on providing customized care throughout the life cycle and building a regionally self-sufficient medical system, utilizing resources that account for 38.3% of the total budget. As a result, it was recognized as an outstanding institution in 16 categories, including receiving the Presidential Award for the development of childcare services in a central government evaluation, thereby demonstrating top-tier administrative competence nationwide.

In the area of care services, the province filled emergency care gaps by supporting free childcare for infants and toddlers and operating the Jeonbuk-style SOS Care Centers. In particular, the integrated care project that links medical, nursing, and residential services for the elderly was fully expanded to all 14 cities and counties, and the institutional foundation was strengthened by securing 5.9 billion won in related national funds for 2026.

The province also achieved significant results in addressing welfare blind spots. Through the Jeonbuk-style emergency welfare system, it identified and supported approximately 46,000 crisis households, and recorded the highest rate in the country for preferential purchases of products made by people with severe disabilities at 2.11%. Senior employment opportunities were expanded by 7,873 from the previous year to approximately 86,000, broadening the income base for the elderly population.

In the field of healthcare, Jeonbuk Province greatly expanded public medical infrastructure by completing the acute care facility at Gunsan Medical Center and opening the Muju County Nursing Hospital to strengthen essential medical services. The province also secured national funding for the establishment of a public medical school and a regional integrated rehabilitation hospital, laying the groundwork for reducing disparities in medical services between regions.

The province is also seeing results from its health promotion initiatives. With the opening of a metropolitan suicide prevention center and strengthened response systems, the number of suicide deaths in 2025 decreased by 25.7% compared to the same period in the previous year. In addition, the province is working to enhance the public nature of the childbirth environment by promoting the establishment of public postpartum care centers in Namwon and Jeongeup.

Bang Sangyun, Director-General of Welfare, Women, and Health at Jeonbuk Province, stated, "To respond to rapidly changing needs, field-oriented policy execution is more important than anything else," adding, "We will continue to focus all administrative efforts on building a robust care and medical safety net that residents can truly experience in their daily lives."