The Ministry of Health and Welfare is preparing for the implementation of the Essential Medical Law, which passed the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee on December 6, 2025. In collaboration with 17 provinces and the medical community, the ministry is assessing the financial requirements to expand essential public healthcare in local areas. This law aims to strengthen essential medical services and bridge regional healthcare gaps, addressing the urgent need to prevent the collapse of neighborhood clinics. The ministry is ensuring that the special budget, to be established in 2027, will be immediately and effectively allocated to the field.
The ministry has requested specific project plans and budget demands from 17 provinces, central government agencies, national university hospitals, and related medical associations. At the supra-regional and regional levels, national university hospitals and other key medical institutions will be upgraded to handle advanced and severe diseases within their regions. At the local level, public hospitals such as local medical centers will be supported to serve as core hubs for essential healthcare, while primary care systems will be reinforced at the township and neighborhood levels. The ministry is also identifying investment needs focused on collaborative care systems among medical institutions.
Key projects include establishing regional networks for critical pediatric care, severe trauma, cardiovascular diseases, and rare diseases. To address the worsening shortage of medical personnel in local areas, the ministry is also investigating field demands for specialist training programs led by regional hub hospitals. All demands will be collected by next week, analyzed, and used as foundational data for the 2027 budget and long-term investment strategies. After the law is enacted, a regular consultative body between the ministry and local governments will be formed to discuss detailed implementation plans.
Ko Hyung-woo, Director of Essential Medical Support, emphasized that now is the ‘golden time’ to revive local healthcare through the Essential Medical Law and the new special budget. He urged active cooperation from local governments and the medical community to ensure that all critical field needs are reflected in the 2027 policies and budget. This initiative aligns with national policy goals to reduce regional disparities, expand essential medical services, and strengthen public healthcare. It is expected to significantly improve healthcare accessibility for residents and ensure the sustainability of the local healthcare system.
The enactment of the Essential Medical Law and the establishment of a special budget represent a pivotal policy shift to address structural issues in Korea’s healthcare system, particularly regional disparities and the decline of local clinics. By closely assessing field demands and investing in collaborative care and workforce development, the government can enhance both the quality and accessibility of medical services. Integrating AI-driven healthcare data analysis and demand forecasting could further optimize resource allocation and maximize the effectiveness of these policies.