Jeong Eun-kyeong, appointed as the first Minister of Health and Welfare in the Lee Jae Myung administration, promised to ease the medical expenses of patients with rare and intractable diseases.

"Korea faces serious crises and challenges. These include prolonged government-doctor conflict, crises in regional, essential, and public healthcare, increased demand for care due to the rapidly aging population, and the world's highest rates of elderly poverty and suicide.” Minister Jeong said in her inaugural address on Tuesday.

Jeong emphasized that to overcome the current crisis and create a “Republic of Korea where everyone lives well together,” the Ministry of Health and Welfare's work of strengthening the social safety net and promoting national health is more important than ever.

To this end, the ministry will establish a comprehensive social safety net by gradually expanding child allowances, strengthening the national and basic pension systems, reinforcing the basic livelihood security system, and expanding sick leave benefits to ensure the “right to rest when sick,” Minister Jeong added.

She also pledged to strengthen the state's responsibility for care.

To this end, Jeong stated that the government will expand and provide integrated medical, nursing, and care support services nationwide to help the elderly and others facing difficulties in daily life maintain healthy lives within their communities. It will also gradually apply health insurance to nursing care costs in nursing hospitals and strengthen public responsibility for nursing care.

The government will also strengthen early detection and intervention for children with developmental disabilities and expand customized services for people with disabilities, including daytime activity services and public employment opportunities, she said.

Minister Jeong pledged to push forward with people-centered medical reforms supported by the people and the medical community, by ensuring that necessary medical care is provided in a timely manner and that the sustainability of the healthcare system is secured. It will introduce the Medical Workforce Supply and Demand Projection Committee to conduct scientific projections of appropriate workforce levels, while also ensuring a stable supply of medical personnel in regional, essential, and public healthcare settings and providing adequate compensation.

Jeong said the government will transfer the duties of national university hospitals, currently under the Ministry of Education, to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, nurturing them as control towers for public and essential medical care in each region, while institutionalizing non-face-to-face medical care in a way that ensures both patient safety and convenience.

In particular, the government will establish a community-based primary medical care system and ease the medical expenses of patients with rare and intractable diseases. Reducing the medical expenses of patients with rare and intractable diseases was also emphasized by President Lee as part of his campaign promises during the presidential election.

In addition, Jeong said she would strengthen suicide prevention policies by identifying and intervening early in high-risk groups and expanding support for those who attempt suicide.

Jeong added that she would strengthen psychological and emotional support for infertile women and pregnant women and continue to provide financial assistance for fertility tests.

Minister Jeong called for ministry officials to seek changes. She urged them to approach policy decisions with an open mind and attitude, build trust through communication with the National Assembly, experts, and stakeholders, and always listen to the voices from the field.

However, she did not forget to show consideration, encouragement, and support for the ministry officials.

In closing, Minister Jeong pledged to create an environment where officials can work with pride and conviction

“I am well aware of the fatigue and loss of motivation that have accumulated from responding to various issues and handling numerous tasks,” Jeong told officials. “I will strive to ensure that efforts are rewarded accordingly and that adequate personnel are allocated to areas where manpower is insufficient.”

“I will also strive to be a minister who not only prioritizes the happiness of citizens but also considers the well-being of Ministry of Health and Welfare officials, ensuring you can work tirelessly and joyfully,” she concluded.