Ministry of Health and Welfare Explains Key Points of 2026 Budget Proposal to Local Governments

The Ministry of Health and Welfare explained newly introduced welfare projects, set to begin next year in accordance with the 2026 budget proposal, to local governments and requested their cooperation.

Lee Seuran, First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare

On September 5, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it had held the '1st Central-Local Health and Welfare Policy Council' that morning, presided over by First Vice Minister Lee Seuran. The meeting brought together directors in charge of health and welfare from 17 metropolitan and provincial governments to share key aspects of next year's budget proposal. The session focused on projects that require advance preparation and participation from local governments, providing an opportunity for discussion and feedback.

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The 2026 budget proposal includes: ▲ raising the eligible age for child allowance (from under 8 years old to under 9 years old) and offering local incentives; ▲ nationwide expansion of integrated support for medical care, nursing, and caregiving; ▲ establishment of a (tentatively named) Basic Food Security Corner; ▲ AI-based innovation in welfare and caregiving; and ▲ strengthening suicide prevention and response. The Ministry emphasized that cooperation from local governments is essential, as these initiatives require preliminary local competitions or infrastructure development.

First Vice Minister Lee Seuran stated, "The role of metropolitan and provincial governments is more important than ever to ensure that these new changes are implemented in the field without trial and error," adding, "We will provide support so that grassroots health and welfare administration can be realized at the city, county, and district levels." She continued, "We will make this council a regular event and continue to communicate with local governments to ensure that health and welfare policies, including national agenda items, are implemented smoothly."

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