The government will introduce a "hanui (Korean medicine) primary doctor" system. The plan is to have Korean medicine doctors look after seniors' health to strengthen primary care and curb patient concentration at large hospitals. The Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 19th reviewed and approved the "5th Comprehensive Plan for the Promotion of Korean Medicine (2026–2030)" at the Committee for the Promotion and Development of Korean Medicine.
The government will prepare a model for a Korean medicine primary doctor program for seniors in the first half of next year. After pilot projects and evaluations in the second half of next year, the main project will be implemented in the second half of 2029. In addition, it will strengthen home visits and support for infertility treatment using Korean medicine.
It will also develop Korean medicine artificial intelligence (AI). A representative example is technology that analyzes data such as Korean medicine consultations. It will introduce digital health screenings tailored to children's and adolescents' growth and developmental stages. It will create a Korean medicine AI care service targeting frailty and chronic diseases and link it with integrated medical and long-term care.
It will provide customized Korean medicine health management information to climate-vulnerable groups such as those affected by heat waves, cold snaps, and fine dust. It will also expand overseas expansion of Korean medicine. It will support startups and productization in Korean medicine by small and venture businesses and provide up to 100 million won in development costs to technology transfer corporations. Second Vice Minister Lee Hyeong-hoon of the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, "We will innovate Korean medicine based on AI."