The government is debating a reform package that would tighten nonwage income deduction thresholds, raise premium caps for high earners, and update the minimum premium floor, unchanged for 26 years. The Ministry of Health and Welfare delayed bringing the plan to the HIPDC plenary in late July, citing public sentiment. The current premium rate stands at 7.19% of wages, shared equally between employees and employers. Nam Eun-gyeong, head of the social affairs bureau at the Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice, said: “It is desirable for the government to faithfully carry out the statutory treasury support and promote fiscal efficiency first, and then discuss whether to increase the public burden.”
