Korea’s healthcare journey: Advances, challenges, and future transformation

Dr In-Sik Kong

Dr. KONG is a family physician and senior public health policy professional with nearly two decades of experience in health administration, health security, and health system reform in the Republic of Korea. Since 2006, he has held a range of positions at the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, with responsibilities encompassing cancer control, emergency medical services, immunization, infectious disease prevention and control, healthcare coverage, and national health insurance.

From 2021 to 2025, he served as a Technical Officer in the Antimicrobial Resistance Division at the World Health Organization in Geneva, where he contributed to global initiatives in antimicrobial resistance surveillance, laboratory system strengthening, technical cooperation, and country support.

He currently serves as Head of the Health Insurance Payment Innovation Task Force at the Ministry of Health and Welfare. In this role, he leads policy development on health insurance payment reform, including alternative payment models, as part of Korea’s broader healthcare reform agenda. His work focuses on advancing quality, efficiency, equity, and financial sustainability through evidence-informed payment policy. His professional interests include health systems governance, strategic purchasing, provider payment reform, universal health coverage, and the translation of evidence into policy and practice.

Prof. Hyojin Nam

Dr. Hyojin Nam is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Healthcare Management at Eulji University. She is an accomplished researcher and educator specializing in international business, global marketing, and data-driven management frameworks. Prior to her current appointment, she accumulated extensive international teaching experience as an Visiting Professor at SolBridge International School of Business, where she taught graduate-level MBA courses entirely in English.

An active scholar, Dr. Nam has published multiple peer-reviewed papers in prestigious SSCI and Scopus journals, including the International Marketing Review and the Asia Pacific Business Review. Her research expertise spans quantitative methodologies, international business, and consumer behavior. At Eulji University, she bridges advanced business analytics with healthcare, focusing on developing students’ data literacy, medical tourism coordination, and practical hospital management strategies to prepare the next generation of healthcare industry leaders.

Prof. Jung-Yul Park

Jung Yul Park, M.D, Ph.D. is currently working as a professor in Department of Neurosurgery, Korea University Anam Hospital since 1995. He served as adjunct professor of Medical Education and Medical Humanities for more than 20 years. Globally, he is President of World Medical Association. He also serves several important roles in World Federation of Medical Education.
Domestically, he currently serves as President of the Korean Academy of Neurological Sciences, Chair of Internatinal Affairs of the Korea Medical Association, Auditor and Chair of Medical Advisory Board of the Korean Academy Medical Sciences. He also serves as a member of board of directors of the Korea Health Information Service and Commitee Chair of the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency.

He is interested in basic & clinical research, and minimal invasive surgical treatments for chronic pain, functional disorders, and geriatric disorders. He is also interested in Climate Medicine, Medical Inofrmatics, and Administration and Management of hospitals and health care systems with many years of teaching experiences.