[2020 National Audit] Low Health Insurance Premiums, High Pensions... 30,000 'Yamche Sajang' Cases

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Doctor A, who runs a private clinic, reports an income of 962,000 won to the National Health Insurance Service and pays a health insurance premium of 30,000 won. However, he reports the highest salary of 4,860,000 won to the National Pension Service and pays a pension insurance premium of 218,700 won.

It has been revealed that more than 30,000 people like Mr. A pay less health insurance premiums, which they cannot get back, while paying higher pension insurance premiums that they will receive in retirement.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Service to Jeong Chun-sook, a member of the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, as of the 21st, among employers running private businesses, 31,686 owners were found to apply different highest salaries for their employees, paying less health insurance premiums but more pension insurance premiums.

By occupation, wholesale and retail trade and consumer goods repair accounted for 19.63%, accommodation and food services 18.92%, and manufacturing 12.22%, making up about half. Following these were real estate, rental, and business services (7.23%), other public, social, and personal services (6.76%), and health and social welfare services (4.54%).

Under the current National Health Insurance Act, the monthly salary of an employer who does not receive a salary is applied as the monthly salary of the employee with the highest salary at the business, according to Enforcement Decree Article 38, Paragraph 3. Those who reported a pension insurance monthly salary of 3 million won or more accounted for 54.9% of the total. Those who reported the maximum amount of 4.86 million won accounted for 17.6%.

Assemblywoman Jeong emphasized, "The National Health Insurance Service must actively identify these selfish owners who pay less health insurance premiums but more pension insurance premiums and thoroughly manage and supervise them so that they can pay appropriate premiums."

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