The Ministry of Health and Welfare said on the 17th that it will appoint Kang Cheong-hui, former head of the Korea Public Tissue Bank, as the 11th chairman of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). Kang will serve a three-year term from the 20th through July 19, 2029.
Kang is a thoracic surgery specialist who graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine. He previously served as vice president of the Korean Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons, standing vice president of the Korean Medical Association, director of the Giheung-gu public health center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, and standing director of benefits at the National Health Insurance Service. He graduated from Daeshin High School and earned a bachelor's degree in medicine and a master's degree in thoracic surgery from Yonsei University.
Kang will oversee key duties including benefits under the National Health Insurance and long-term care insurance for the elderly, as well as the establishment of integrated care. He will also support national policy tasks such as strengthening public health care and transitioning to a sustainable health care system. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said it expects him to make significant contributions to areas such as health insurance fiscal management, based on the expertise he has built in the medical field.
The NHIS chairman is appointed with presidential approval, following a recommendation by the institution's executive recommendation committee and a nomination by the Minister of Health and Welfare.
