South Korea’s national health insurance received 12.4913 trillion won in government funding last year, a 30.5% increase from the 9.5720 trillion won allocated in 2021, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Service.
The figures, obtained by National People Power Party lawmaker Kim Mi-ae, reveal a consistent upward trend in national health insurance subsidies. In 2022, the funding totaled 10.4992 trillion won, rising to 10.9702 trillion won in 2023 and 12.1658 trillion won in 2024. The 2025 figure represents a continued acceleration of this growth.
Kim Mi-ae cautioned that relying on tax revenue to offset insurance premiums may simply shift the financial burden onto citizens in another form. “Before discussing expanding national funding, we must thoroughly investigate areas where fiscal leakage is occurring,” Kim stated, according to a report from Yonhap News Agency. She emphasized the necessitate to address inefficiencies within the health insurance system before considering further increases in government support.
The increase in national health insurance funding comes as the system faces growing financial pressures. According to a report by ETNews, the national health insurance fund is facing increasing strain, prompting the need for greater government intervention. The report highlights concerns that the current trajectory of rising healthcare costs and an aging population will continue to exacerbate these financial challenges.
Kim Mi-ae’s call for a review of financial leakages echoes concerns raised in other reports. A report from MSN Korea noted Kim’s assertion that increased national funding is not a fundamental solution to the health insurance system’s challenges. The lawmaker has urged a comprehensive assessment of the system’s financial management to identify and address areas of waste and inefficiency.
The substantial increase in government funding, reaching nearly 12.5 trillion won, has prompted debate about the long-term sustainability of the national health insurance system and the potential impact on taxpayers, as reported by the Korea Economic Daily. The government has yet to respond to calls for a detailed audit of the health insurance fund.
