[2022 National Audit] Social Security Information System Fails from the Start... Jo Gyu-hong "Considering Compensation Claims"

New Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong is attending the National Assembly's audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare held on the 5th, responding to lawmakers' questions. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] Regarding the delay in salary payments caused by errors in the next-generation social security information system, which has led to complaints among frontline welfare officials that the "work cannot proceed," Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated, "Retroactive application is a given," and added, "We will also consider compensation for damages."

Minister Cho made these remarks on the morning of the 5th during the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee's audit in response to a question from Shin Hyun-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding errors in the next-generation social security information system, saying, "Ultimately, it was insufficient."

The next-generation social security information system underwent its second launch on the 6th of last month, but major functions were paralyzed, preventing proper execution of welfare tasks, including various salary and subsidy payments. At that time, Minister Cho was serving as the first vice minister and acting minister. He expressed, "I feel a sense of responsibility," and apologized, saying, "I am deeply sorry that due to system issues, salaries were not paid on time to those in need."

Minister Cho continued, "We will normalize the system as soon as possible and thoroughly investigate why the errors occurred and whether the response to the errors was appropriate," adding, "We believe that the October salary payments can be made normally, and we will strive to pay the delayed September salaries in October as well."

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