New Minister of Health and Welfare_{보건 복지부} Park Neung-hoo_박능후 said Monday he would strive to set the foundation for creating an “inclusive welfare state” for the next half century.

“Although Korea has become the 11th largest economy in the world in a short period, the inclusiveness and welfare level for sustainable development is the lowest level of the OECD,” Park said during his inaugural ceremony at the Second Government Complex in Sejong, South Chungcheong Province,

The new health-welfare minister cited Korea’s fertility rate is the lowest in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development while the poverty rate for the elderly and the suicide rates are at the highest level, revealing serious social problems.

“The past 50 years has been time to build a system of welfare systems for those alienated from economic growth, but the next 50 years should be the period to make health and economy the twin wagons that lead the nation's development,” he went on to say. “What the government hopes for is a country that embraces the weak and sick to grow together.”

Minister Park emphasized the significance of health care policies he will pursue over the next few years, vowing to expand customized social services to all citizens and increase the number of high-quality jobs as well as tackle the problem of low fertility, which he said is creating the crisis of national existence

“It is not just an issue of childcare but comprises all social problems such as jobs, housing, education, and environment, which should be solved together. The ministry will take the initiative as the government’s control tower to cope with low birthrate and lead other agencies in one direction.” Park said.

The new minister also pledged to expand the integrated nursing care services to reduce the burden of nursing care, protect health sovereignty by strengthening investment in public vaccine development.

“Our ministry should take the biggest responsibility for the health and welfare of the people and at the same time maintain interests in building a healthy market system, such as reducing irregular employment, to be reborn as the ministry that leads social policy,” Park said.

He went on to say, "I will always be open minded and attentive in policy making and become a minister trying to communicate with all people involved,”