Disease Control and Prevention Agency Launches on the 12th... Introduction of Second Vice Minister in the Ministry of Health and Welfare

Reinforcement of Over 560 Personnel... Jung Eun-kyung, Head of Headquarters, Likely to Become Commissioner

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Jo In-kyung] The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) will officially launch as the Disease Control and Prevention Administration on the 12th. Compared to the current KDCA organization, more than 560 personnel will be added. The National Institute of Health, which was previously considered for transfer to the Ministry of Health and Welfare and caused controversy, will remain under the Disease Control and Prevention Administration.

On the morning of the 8th, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that at the Cabinet meeting, the bill to elevate the KDCA to the Disease Control and Prevention Administration and to introduce multiple vice ministers in the Ministry of Health and Welfare, including the 'Ordinance on the Organization of the Disease Control and Prevention Administration and Its Affiliated Agencies' and the 'Amendment to the Organization of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Its Affiliated Agencies,' was approved.

In his remarks at the Cabinet meeting, President Moon Jae-in said, "By strengthening infectious disease response capabilities centered on the Disease Control and Prevention Administration, I hope we can overcome the critical phase of the COVID-19 resurgence well and stabilize and firmly control COVID-19 as soon as possible." He also emphasized, "The vice minister of health should focus on advancing our health care system to the next level once COVID-19 stabilizes."

The Disease Control and Prevention Administration, which will operate as an independent agency at the vice-ministerial level with authority to establish and execute infectious disease policies, will consist of 5 bureaus, 3 offices, 41 divisions, and affiliated agencies, including the Administrator and Deputy Administrator. The total staff will increase from the current 907 to 1,476. Of these, 384 are net new personnel excluding reassignments, accounting for 42% of the existing workforce.

Jung Eun-kyung, the current head of the KDCA, is strongly considered to be appointed as the first Administrator of the Disease Control and Prevention Administration by the President. This is because she has played a significant role in the COVID-19 response and has received relatively favorable evaluations from the public and opinion leaders.

The Infectious Disease Research Center under the National Institute of Health will be expanded and reorganized into the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. It will strengthen functions such as clinical research and vaccine development support, in addition to research on infectious viruses, to establish an infectious disease research and development system. The director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases will be appointed as an open position, with a private sector expert expected to be selected.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will introduce a multiple vice minister system according to the partial amendment of the Government Organization Act, creating a dedicated vice minister for the health sector. To strengthen health care policy capabilities, 44 personnel will be added across 1 office and 3 divisions, and a Medical Workforce Policy Division will be established to enhance the supply and treatment improvement functions for public medical personnel and health care workers.

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