South Korea is revising regulations to strengthen emergency medical center capabilities.
Key changes include increased specialist staffing and mandatory dedicated emergency beds.
The draft amendment is open for public comment until April 8, 2024.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has designated 71 institutions for the third phase of rehabilitation medical care.
This policy aims to reduce disabilities and accelerate patient return to daily life through intensive rehabilitation.
The new designations will be effective from March 2026 to February 2029.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the MFDS will implement the ‘Immediate Market Entry Medical Technology’ system from June 26, exempting innovative devices with international clinical evaluation from new technology assessment.
This reform shortens the entry period for medical devices from up to 490 days to as little as 80 days, covering 199 items including 113 digital devices.
Safety measures and controls against non-reimbursed overuse are included, aiming to boost industry innovation and accelerate adoption of advanced technologies.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare discussed preparations for the barrier-free kiosk mandate and nationwide integrated care rollout at the 2026 Central-Local Cooperation Meeting.
From January 28, most businesses must install barrier-free kiosks, and integrated medical, nursing, and care services will be available nationwide from March 27.
The government and local authorities are strengthening education and promotion to ensure smooth implementation and early stabilization of these policies.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that doctor helicopters and Mobile Intensive Care Units (MICUs) transported 1,414 critical emergency patients in 2025.
Doctor helicopters with specialists improved survival rates for 1,075 patients, while MICU pilot operations safely transferred 339 patients, including newborns.
The government plans to further strengthen the emergency transport system by adding more helicopters and MICUs.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that the preventable trauma death rate fell to 9.1% in 2023.
This marks a steady decline from 30.5% in 2015, attributed to the expansion of regional trauma centers and improved care systems.
The government plans to further reduce the rate by increasing data submission and strengthening trauma care infrastructure.