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The Ministry of Health and Welfare building in Seoul is shown in this undated file photo. / Source: Ministry of Health and Welfare

South Korea will begin providing government-funded malpractice insurance support for essential medical practitioners, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on November 26. Medical institutions employing eligible physicians may apply for insurance enrollment between November 26 and December 12.

Following a public bidding process and review by the insurance selection committee, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance was chosen as this year’s provider. The ministry said the selected contract terms offer more favorable premiums and coverage limits compared with earlier proposals.

Specialists: state pays ₩1.5 million of ₩1.7 million premium

Eligible specialists include:

• obstetrician-gynecologists performing deliveries at hospitals and clinics,

• pediatric surgeons, pediatric thoracic surgeons, pediatric cardiologists and pediatric neurosurgeons working at general hospitals or higher-level institutions.

Under the policy, medical institutions remain responsible for the first ₩200 million in damages.
The government-supported insurance covers the portion exceeding ₩200 million up to ₩1.5 billion, offering substantial protection against high-cost claims.

Annual premiums are ₩1.7 million per specialist, of which the government covers ₩1.5 million. Medical institutions bear only ₩200,000 per specialist.

Residents: state covers majority of premium, protects up to ₩300 million

Eligible residents include those in internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, cardiothoracic surgery, emergency medicine, neurosurgery and neurology.

For residents:

• hospitals cover the first ₩30 million in damages,

• the insurance covers the amount beyond ₩30 million up to ₩300 million.

Premiums are ₩420,000 per resident, with the state covering ₩250,000 and hospitals paying ₩170,000.

If a resident is involved in a case requiring ₩300 million in compensation, the hospital pays the initial ₩30 million and the insurer pays the remaining ₩270 million.

Refund option for hospitals already insured

Training hospitals that already carry malpractice insurance for eligible residents may instead request a refund equivalent to the government support amount (₩250,000 per resident). Refund applications are accepted via the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency until December 5.

Enrollment process

Institutions seeking to enroll must submit applications and required documents directly to the insurer. Detailed guidance is available through:

• The Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency,

• Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance’s dedicated essential medical malpractice insurance website,

• Call center support.

Health Minister Jung Eun-kyung urged broad participation, saying:
“This system allows essential medical practitioners to secure up to ₩1.5 billion in protection at a cost of only ₩200,000 per year. We hope many medical institutions will enroll. We will continue building a safety net that protects both patients and medical staff.”