Ahead of 2026, the Korean government is implementing significant policy changes across various sectors, such as food supply stabilization, pension increases, and strengthened cybersecurity. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will hold weekly meetings to monitor the supply of agricultural and livestock products and respond swiftly to price instability. Other notable changes include increased settlement support for residents of the five West Sea islands, expanded free tuberculosis screening for vulnerable groups, and improved safety information for overseas direct purchases. Additionally, enhancements to the national pension and basic pension, streamlined drug side effect compensation, and new services for offline civil complaints are being introduced.
On January 12, the Ministry reviewed the supply trends of key items like rice, cabbage, radish, garlic, apples, tangerines, Korean beef, pork, and eggs. Fruit supply is expected to remain stable due to increased winter shipments, while garlic prices are being controlled through government stock releases and strengthened crop management. Livestock prices remain high due to avian influenza outbreaks and reduced livestock numbers, prompting increased supply and discount support. The settlement support for West Sea island residents has been raised by 20,000 KRW to a maximum of 200,000 KRW per month, benefiting about 3,500 people. National and basic pensions have increased by 2.1%, with single seniors receiving 349,700 KRW and couples 559,520 KRW monthly.
From 2027, the obligation to disclose cybersecurity information will expand to all KOSPI and KOSDAQ-listed companies, including those with ISMS certification. The Ministry of Science and ICT has removed exemptions for public institutions, financial companies, and small businesses to enhance the system’s effectiveness and fairness. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety emphasized the use of the ‘Olbaro’ website for checking hazardous ingredients in overseas direct purchase foods, with 890,000 users recorded in 2025. The Korea Customs Service will strengthen verification of personal customs codes and delivery zip codes from November 21, 2025. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety is offering free year-end tax certificates via Government24 and has introduced SMS/email notifications for offline civil complaints.
Drug side effect compensation procedures are being simplified, with written reviews for claims under 2 million KRW to speed up the process. Compensation will also cover outpatient costs before and after hospitalization, and the cap for severe side effects may be raised to 50 million KRW. Free tuberculosis screening now covers all elderly with long-term care grades, with initial screenings in the first half and follow-up management in the second half of the year. These policy changes are expected to enhance public health, safety, and welfare. The government plans to continue developing and improving policies that directly impact citizens’ lives.
These policy updates reflect the government’s commitment to tangible improvements in citizens’ daily lives. Stabilizing food supply and expanding cybersecurity obligations address key social concerns, while increased pensions and welfare measures strengthen the social safety net in an aging society. The integration of digital services and real-time monitoring enhances administrative efficiency and transparency, building greater public trust. Leveraging AI for policy monitoring and predictive analysis could further optimize policy outcomes and proactive responses.