National Health Insurance Service appoints Soonchunhyang University professor Lee Junhee as new Executive Director of Benefits

Oversees everything from negotiations on medical fees and drug prices to management of non-covered services
"Prevent financial leakage and ensure appropriate treatment"

Lee Junhee, a professor at Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, has been appointed the new Executive Director of Benefits at the National Health Insurance Service.

Lee Junhee, Executive Director of Benefits at the National Health Insurance Service

The National Health Insurance Service said it appointed Lee to the post effective October 19 after an open recruitment process.

The Executive Director of Benefits oversees the Health Insurance Benefits Office, Benefits Management Office, Pharmaceutical Benefits Management Office, Medical Expense Assistance Office, Medical Institution Support Office, Health Screening Office, Health Support Programs Office, Health and Medical Resources Office, and Non-Covered Services Management Office. The post leads the health insurance expenditure portfolio, including negotiations on medical fees and drug prices, the establishment of coverage standards, and the management of non-covered services.

Lee, a specialist in occupational and environmental medicine, served as a professor in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital from 2018 through October 2026. He has served as a member of the Workers' Compensation and Welfare Service's Disease Determination Committee and the Private School Teachers and Staff Pension Service's Disaster Compensation Benefits Deliberation Committee, among other roles. He has also served on the Public Officials' Accident Compensation and Pension Committee under the Ministry of Personnel Management and the Central Environmental Dispute Mediation and Damage Relief Committee under the Ministry of Environment.

The National Health Insurance Service said it expects Lee to draw on his extensive expertise and hands-on experience to reconcile the interests of patients, the medical community, the government, and the insurer, and to lead benefits policy with a balanced perspective.

"At a time when we face the challenge of a super-aged society, it is more important than ever to balance the two pillars of sustainability and stronger protection for public health," Lee said. "I will do my utmost to prevent unnecessary financial leakage, ensure appropriate treatment, and manage policies that also take disease prevention and health maintenance into account."

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