The National Assembly's Welfare Committee will begin its audit on October 7, spanning 22 days. Key issues expected to dominate discussions include the effectiveness of the 'Youth First Pension Insurance Premium Support' program, set for full implementation next year, and the contentious introduction of the abortion pill mifepristone. Additionally, the operation of warehouse pharmacies in large retail facilities and ongoing issues such as nurse burnout are anticipated to heat up the proceedings.
According to the National Assembly, the audit will commence with data organization on October 6 and run from October 7 to 27. A total of 57 agencies will be audited, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, along with various affiliated organizations such as the National Health Insurance Service and the National Pension Service.
The schedule includes audits of the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on October 7 and 8, followed by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on October 13, the National Pension Service on October 14, and the National Health Insurance Service and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on October 16. On October 22, public institutions under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, including the Korea Social Security Information Service, will be reviewed, concluding with a comprehensive audit on October 27. The committee has requested the attendance of 18 general witnesses and 30 references for this audit.
'Youth First Pension' Effectiveness and Fund Management Efficiency: Audit of the Pension Service on October 14
The audit of the National Pension Service scheduled for October 14 will focus on the newly introduced 'Youth First Pension Insurance Premium Support' program, aimed at encouraging early enrollment in the national pension system among young people. The service has begun accepting pre-applications from those born in 2009, offering full coverage of the first month's premium (41,000 won) starting from October 1, ahead of its full implementation in January.
Lawmakers are expected to scrutinize the program's execution plans, budget adequacy, and its potential impact on actual enrollment rates. Additionally, concerns regarding the depletion of the national pension fund will prompt discussions on improving returns and ensuring transparency in fund management.
Debate Over Mifepristone Introduction: Modern Pharmaceutical CEO and Obstetrics Groups to Testify
The long-standing debate over the legalization and safety of the abortion pill mifepristone has emerged as a central issue in this audit. The Welfare Committee will summon Lee Sang-jun, CEO of Modern Pharmaceutical, which holds the exclusive domestic rights to mifepristone, as a reference on October 13 to discuss the product approval process and post-marketing safety management.
During the comprehensive audit on October 27, medical experts are expected to clash over the introduction of the abortion pill. Lee Jae-gwan, president of the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, will present the preparedness and safety measures in the medical field, while Kim Jae-yeon, president of the Korean Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, is likely to advocate for caution, citing concerns over misuse and safety risks associated with the drug.
Warehouse Pharmacies and Labor Safety Issues Under Review
The operation of warehouse pharmacies in large retail facilities, which has faced strong opposition from the pharmacy community, will also be scrutinized. Lee Hyung-cheol, CEO of Shinsegae Property, and representatives from major pharmacy chains will testify on October 8, alongside Kwon Young-hee, president of the Korean Pharmaceutical Association, who is expected to strongly condemn the encroachment on local pharmacies and allegations of direct transactions with wholesalers. Additionally, Jeong Jin-woong, CEO of Doctor Now, will testify regarding controversies surrounding the delivery of medications through telemedicine platforms.
Persistent issues in the medical field will also be addressed. The problem of nurse workplace bullying, known as 'taewoom,' will see both Lee Hyun-seok, director of Seoul Medical Center, and a victimized nurse testify. In relation to medical safety management, Son Dong-guk, chief director of Ddokddok Plant Dental Clinic, and the family of a victim will be summoned, while Park Ho-kyun, a lawyer from Hippocrates Law Firm, and Song Gi-min, a member of the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice's Health and Medical Committee, will advocate for improvements to the medical dispute resolution system.
Allegations of 'Queue Jumping' and Oversight of Medical Advertising
Other issues include allegations of 'queue jumping' that provide expedited treatment benefits to private insurance subscribers at large hospitals. Cheon Sang-young, CEO of Shinhan Life, and Park Je-gwang, CEO of DB Life, will be called to testify on October 8.
Additionally, to address the proliferation of fake doctor impersonation videos and false medical information on YouTube, Hwang Seong-hye, vice president of Google Korea, will testify on October 20. Hong Seung-il, CEO of Healing Paper (Gangnam Unni), will also appear as a witness on October 27 regarding allegations of patient solicitation and personal information leaks related to cosmetic medical platforms.
Other topics to be discussed include delays in the construction of the Songdo Severance Hospital (Kim Gi-chang, vice president of Yonsei University College of Medicine) and excessive consumption of high-caffeine beverages among adolescents (Koo Nam-joo, executive at Coca-Cola Korea, and Park Seung-hee, director at Monster Energy Korea).
* This article has been translated by AI.
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