The South Korean government announced on Friday that the national health insurance premium rate for 2025 will remain at 7.09%, the same as 2024. This marks the second consecutive year of freezing the national health insurance premium rate. The decision comes despite rising healthcare costs, with the government citing stable reserves of about $20 billion (27 trillion won) as a key factor.

Additionally, the ministry plans to extend emergency medical support due to the prolonged doctors’ strike and COVID-19 concerns. The extension includes increased funding for emergency room care and critical surgeries through September, as well as a pilot project to curb antibiotic misuse by incentivizing hospitals to improve their management of antibiotic prescriptions.