Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun Kyeong visited Gwangju Metropolitan City on Wednesday, August 6, at 2:00 p.m. to review the progress of the pilot project for Integrated Medical and Long-Term Care services and to gather feedback from the field in preparation for the full-scale implementation of the program.

The Integrated Medical and Long-Term Care initiative, led by local governments (cities, counties, and districts), provides coordinated care services that support individuals experiencing difficulties in daily life to continue living healthily within their communities. The legal foundation for the program was established through the enactment of the relevant law* on March 26, 2024, and nationwide implementation is scheduled for March 27, 2026.

* Act on the Integrated Support for Local Medical and Long-Term Care Services (short title: Integrated Care Support Act)

The site visit was conducted to closely examine the operation of the pilot program* and identify areas for improvement ahead of the enforcement of the Integrated Care Support Act and the nationwide rollout of the initiative next March. It also aimed to observe how the vision of integrated care is being realized in practice. Through the visit, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to establishing a truly integrated care model that combines both medical and long-term care services, marking a departure from past fragmented approaches.

* The pilot program was launched in July 2023 with participation from 131 local governments (12 with financial support and 119 with technical support).

Minister Jeong toured key facilities, including Gwangju City Hall, the Ochi Jugong Apartment Complex 1—designated as a care-specialized permanent rental housing community—in Buk-gu, and the Buk-gu Public Health Center. There, she received briefings on the progress of integrated care efforts in Gwangju, including Buk-gu, one of its local districts, and participated in a meeting with local officials to hear firsthand feedback from the field.

During the meeting, participants highlighted key factors behind the success of Gwangju’s independently operated “Gwangju-style” integrated care initiative—such as dedicated municipal funding and proactive home visits by community center staff. They also engaged in in-depth discussions on strategies needed to ensure the initiative’s successful establishment and long-term sustainability.

* Gwangju Metropolitan City launched its “Gwangju-style” integrated care services in April 2023. It is currently participating in the MOHW pilot program and running specialized projects across all five districts (two with financial support and three with technical support).

In addition, local officials provided a detailed walkthrough of the entire care process—from application and intake, assessment, and care planning to the convening of integrated support meetings, service coordination, and ongoing monitoring. These insights offered a clearer picture of how the integrated care model is being implemented on the ground. The session also served as an opportunity to explore ways to effectively deliver essential medical services within the integrated care system.

Following this site visit, the Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to thoroughly analyze the achievements and challenges identified in the pilot project to ensure a stable and successful nationwide rollout of the Integrated Care initiative by March 2026.

Minister Jeong Eun Kyeong stated, “As we enter a super-aged society, it is essential to provide integrated care that brings together medical and long-term care services within local communities—enabling people in need to live healthy, independent lives where they reside.” She added, “Care is a shared responsibility between central and local governments. We will do our utmost to build an integrated care system that the public can truly experience and rely on.” ///