Jung Ho-young: "Separating Ministry of Health and Welfare Functions Is Inappropriate to Discuss Now"

"Health and Welfare Are Interlinked, Current System's Advantage of Combining Both Policies Must Be Maintained"
On the Abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Reserved Comments... "Inappropriate to Express Opinions Related to Other Ministries"

Health and Welfare Minister nominee Jeong Ho-young is holding a press conference to clarify allegations related to preferential treatment for his child's medical school transfer admission and military service corruption on the 17th at the auditorium of the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Se-eun] Jeong Ho-young, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, expressed the view that it is not appropriate to discuss the possibility of separating the functions of the Ministry of Health and Welfare at this time.

On the 1st, in response to a question from Kang Seon-woo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding the separation of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Jeong stated that "careful consideration is necessary," effectively opposing the idea. Some have raised the possibility of separating the 'health' and 'welfare' functions of the Ministry of Health and Welfare in connection with the government reorganization under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

Jeong argued, "There are many people in the medical field who suffer economic difficulties due to illness, and health problems frequently appear among economically disadvantaged individuals, so health and welfare are interconnected," adding, "It is necessary to maintain the advantages of the current system that handles health and welfare policies together."

He cited the phased expansion of income security focused on vulnerable groups and the resolution of elderly poverty as the top priorities for welfare policy upon assuming office.

He also stated, "The low birthrate and aging population issues are directly linked to individuals' lives and the future driving force of our society, making them very important," and added, "There is also a need to strengthen the role of the Ministry of Health and Welfare as the control tower for population policy."

This indicates the Ministry of Health and Welfare's intention to retain its population and health policy functions amid government reorganization.

Meanwhile, regarding the possible abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, he avoided a direct answer, saying, "As the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, it is not appropriate to express opinions on the organizational matters of other ministries within the government."

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