Allowing Non-Face-to-Face Medical Treatment and Consultation for Overseas Koreans... "Guaranteeing 'COVID-19 Health Rights'"

Among 8 Approved Regulatory Sandbox Projects, 6 Are Non-Face-to-Face Services
Non-Face-to-Face Medical Service for Overseas Koreans, Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry's First Approved Project
Government: "With Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Support, Taking First Step to Eliminate Regulatory Blind Spots"

Photo by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Overseas Koreans will soon be able to receive non-face-to-face medical treatment and consultation services for two years. Workers and their families facing threats from COVID-19 abroad are expected to benefit.

On the 25th, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the '2nd Industrial Convergence Regulatory Sandbox Deliberation Committee of 2020' and submitted eight agenda items. Among them, six were related to non-face-to-face medical treatment.

Among these, the non-face-to-face medical treatment and consultation service for overseas Koreans was selected as the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (KCCI) first task. KCCI is the private organization in charge of the 'Regulatory Sandbox Support Center.'

The government expects that with the development of the non-face-to-face industry after COVID-19, approvals for related regulatory exceptions will increase.

Also, KCCI supported applicant companies throughout the entire sandbox approval process, including task application, consulting, and post-management, making it easier for companies to utilize the system, which was seen as significant.

An official from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said, "With KCCI's support, public-private collaboration will take a meaningful first step in resolving regulatory blind spots."

The Deliberation Committee granted temporary approval for two years to Inha University Hospital and Life Semantics (an online platform company) for the non-face-to-face medical treatment and consultation service for overseas Koreans.

These institutions provide telephone and video services based on the information entered by overseas Koreans on the online platform. Prescriptions are issued upon patient request.

An official from the Ministry said, "It is expected to greatly contribute to protecting overseas workers and their families whose health is threatened by the COVID-19 pandemic."

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

The Deliberation Committee also approved Hyundai Motor Company's temporary authorization for wireless updates of electronic control devices. From now on, software (SW) such as wireless communication devices can be updated without visiting a repair shop.

The Ministry explained that improvements or additions to electronic control device software can be updated simultaneously on multiple vehicles without going to a repair shop.

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Additionally, the Deliberation Committee approved five demonstration exceptions, including home rehabilitation training devices and services, AI-based unmanned alcohol vending machines, and AI drone-utilized urban heat pipe and road surface inspection services.

The home rehabilitation training device applied for by Neofact is a service that helps those with mobility difficulties, such as polio patients and elderly stroke patients, to effectively receive rehabilitation training.

When prescribed by a doctor, patients can train at home using devices like smart gloves and boards. Doctors and medical staff provide non-face-to-face consultation and advice (via video calls) on rehabilitation training by referring to training status and AI recommendations.

After testing at the hospital's usability evaluation center, a demonstration will be conducted with about 2,000 patients in cooperation with rehabilitation hospitals. Participants include the National Rehabilitation Center, Pusan National University Hospital (Yangsan, Gyeongnam), and Heeyeon Hospital (Changwon, Gyeongnam).

Source: Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy

Zero Ground's shared beauty salon service received demonstration exception approval, allowing multiple hairstylists to run their own businesses while sharing facilities within one salon.

The urban shared platform's 'AI object recognition technology-based alcohol vending machine' also received demonstration exception approval. After demonstration, vending machines can be placed and operated in general restaurants, convenience stores, and supermarkets.

An official from the Ministry explained, "Since adult verification is done through a smartphone app, it will prevent minors from purchasing alcohol through forgery or theft of resident registration cards."

Natuspin's 'pet transportation platform service using rental cars' and Rainbow Lab's 'AI drone-utilized urban heat pipe and road surface inspection service' also received demonstration exception approval.

Minister Sung Yun-mo of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy emphasized, "KCCI, representing the industry, has become a strong supporter and created an opportunity for the 'Korean-style Regulatory Sandbox' to be upgraded through public-private collaboration."

He added, "Among the eight agenda items submitted, six are non-face-to-face services, showing that the sandbox contributes to the activation of non-face-to-face services to some extent. Especially, I feel rewarded that tasks contributing to protecting the health rights of overseas Koreans, a 'warm sandbox' project, were submitted."

Minister Sung said, "This year, the role of the sandbox is even more important to overcome domestic and international difficulties caused by COVID-19 and to help the recovery of the real economy. We will do our utmost to ensure the sandbox can provide momentum to enhance national vitality."

Since the regulatory sandbox system was implemented on January 17 last year, 59 regulatory difficulties for convergence new products and services have been resolved: 37 demonstration exceptions, 9 temporary authorizations, and 13 proactive administrative actions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.