Candidate Kim Seung-hee, "Will Establish a Foundation for a Virtuous Cycle of Growth and Welfare"

"Preparing a Scientific Quarantine System Based on Healthcare Expertise and Field Experience"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Kim Seung-hee, nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, stated that she will create a foundation where growth and welfare can form a virtuous cycle by closely and thoroughly protecting vulnerable groups and establishing a sustainable old-age income security system.

On the afternoon of the 26th, through the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Kim said, "I feel a heavy responsibility for being appointed as the first Minister of Health and Welfare of the new government during a severe domestic and international period marked by income polarization, deepening population aging, ongoing COVID-19, and new infectious disease crises," she expressed her thoughts on the nomination.

She emphasized, "If appointed minister, I will create a foundation where growth and welfare can form a virtuous cycle by expanding customized health and welfare services, increasing and solidifying the supply and demand of social services such as childcare, care, and nursing."

Kim, a pharmacist who graduated from Gyeonggi Girls' High School and Seoul National University College of Pharmacy, is a healthcare expert who worked at the predecessor of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, and served as the Commissioner of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, as well as a member of the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee.

Kim stated, "Based on the knowledge, field experience, and expertise accumulated over many years in the healthcare sector, I will prepare a scientifically evidence-based, sustainable quarantine and medical response system for stable daily recovery from COVID-19 and responses to new variants or other infectious diseases."

She added, "By strengthening essential medical care and fostering the bio-health industry, I will improve public health, enhance support for vaccine and treatment development, and actively cooperate with the National Assembly, various stakeholders, and experts, while communicating with the public and dedicating myself to health and welfare policies for the people, drawing on my experience as a member of the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee."

She also said, "I will provide more detailed policy plans through the upcoming National Assembly confirmation hearing and listen to and communicate with differing opinions."

Kim’s confirmation hearing preparation office is scheduled to be set up at the National Pension Service Building in Chungjeong-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul.

▶ Born February 6, 1954, Seoul ▶ Gyeonggi Girls' High School (1973) ▶ Seoul National University College of Pharmacy (1978) ▶ Seoul National University Graduate School of Pharmacy (1980) ▶ Ph.D. in Chemistry, University of Notre Dame, USA (1987) ▶ Director of Toxicology Research Department, National Toxicology Research Institute, Ministry of Food and Drug Safety; Director of Biopharmaceuticals Bureau; Director of National Institute of Toxicological Sciences; Director of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation Institute ▶ Deputy Commissioner of Ministry of Food and Drug Safety ▶ Visiting Professor, Yonsei University College of Pharmacy ▶ Commissioner of Ministry of Food and Drug Safety ▶ 20th National Assembly Member (May 2016?May 2020) ▶ Member of National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee (June 2016?February 2017) ▶ Member of National Assembly Women and Family Committee (July 2017?May 2018) ▶ Floor Deputy Leader of Liberty Korea Party (December 2017?December 2018) ▶ Advisor at Law Firm Class (July 2020?present) ▶ Member of Social Division, National Assembly National Integration Committee under the Speaker of the National Assembly (February 2021?November 2021)

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