Health Minister Nominee Kwon Deok-cheol: "Mobilizing All Resources to Overcome COVID-19"

Health and Welfare Minister nominee Kwon Deok-cheol is attending the confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee on the 22nd, taking the oath as a witness. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Kwon Deok-cheol, nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, stated on the 22nd, "We will concentrate all our capabilities to overcome the crisis caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)."

At the opening remarks of the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly that day, nominee Kwon cited overcoming COVID-19 as the first of five key tasks to be prioritized as Minister of Health and Welfare.

He said, "This is the greatest crisis since COVID-19 was introduced into the country," adding, "We will promptly secure vaccines through close cooperation and communication with related ministries and companies, and accelerate the development of treatments."

The other tasks included ▲ establishing a health safety net ▲ strengthening income and care safety nets ▲ enhancing digital healthcare capabilities ▲ responding to low birth rates and aging.

Nominee Kwon said he would strengthen public healthcare capabilities so that everyone can receive high-quality medical services, promote the establishment of a balanced regional medical system, and enhance health insurance coverage, stating, "We will solidify a preventive health management system and expand customized support for mental health by target groups."

Regarding strengthening income and care safety nets, he said, "We will establish a system where the government actively supports damages caused by COVID-19 and establish a life-cycle income safety net for children, young adults, and the elderly."

He added, "We will expand community-integrated care and social service agencies, and further solidify the national responsibility system for dementia and public childcare to create a society without care worries."

On digital healthcare capabilities, nominee Kwon said, "We will actively foster the healthcare industry such as treatments, vaccines, and diagnostic kits, and focus on supporting precision medicine based on genomic information. We will also expand investments in intelligent medical infrastructure such as mobile healthcare services and smart hospitals."

Regarding low birth rates and aging, he said, "According to the recently established 4th Basic Plan, we will improve the quality of life of the people and realize a 'society where we work together and care together.'"

Nominee Kwon expressed, "I believe that even the current crisis can be overcome if we unite," and pledged, "If appointed as Minister of Health and Welfare, I will do my best by mobilizing all capabilities based on my public service experience."

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