Yi Whan-woo is a Korea Times journalist primarily covering finance. He writes in-depth articles on macroeconomy and financial markets and previously covered sports, politics, diplomacy and inter-Korean affairs, among others. Feel free to contact him at yistory@koreatimes.co.kr.
Seoul willing to provide healthcare services to NK
By Yi Whan-woo
South Korea is willing to provide health and medical services to North Korea if it cooperates with the international community, said the country’s top health official Tuesday.
Lim Chae-min, minister of health and welfare, showed interest in North Korea at the World Health Assembly (WHA) of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland
“South Korea is especially interested in enhancing and improving health conditions of the people under the Stalinist regime, said Lim. “And we’ll gladly help them with one condition that the North keeps an open-minded attitude toward the international community,” Lim said.
The minister’s remarks during a keynote address at the assembly came as a part of the country’s plan to help underdeveloped nations in terms of health.
He stressed that South Korea agrees with the WHO’s goal for universal coverage of medical services in each country. The minister said it has been cooperating with those countries which seek to fulfill the goal.
“With respect to each country’s plan, we’re putting our utmost efforts into enhancing their health and medical services with an increase in the amount of our official development assistance (ODA).”
Korea spent 220 billion won ($193 million) of its ODA in support of the world’s health and medical services. The amount accounts for 13 percent of ODA last year and the country plans to increase the rate up to 20 percent in the future.
Lim introduced the country’s care system for patients suffering from chronic diseases.
The system went into practice from April and was applied to reduce medical expenses through precautionary medical care against life-threatening illnesses.
“The system allows a person with a chronic disease to have regular medical check-ups and effectively prevent the person from suffering sudden life-threatening circumstances.
“This system will be effective for people in the country who can’t manage expensive medical care.”
The 65th annual WHA will last for six days. Delegations from member states have gathered to discuss the policies of the WHO and its member nations.