The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on the 4th that it had issued an opinion that the "guardians of undocumented long-term resident children in Korea," who have been granted temporary stay on humanitarian grounds, also need to be included as eligible for enrollment in the national health insurance.
Earlier, a foreigner staying with the other (G-1-81) status of stay granted to guardians of undocumented long-term resident children in Korea applied to enroll in regional health insurance to ease medical costs ahead of pregnancy and childbirth. The National Health Insurance Service rejected the application, as it allows enrollment in regional health insurance only for certain subtypes among those with other (G-1) status. The foreigner then filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), saying this was discrimination without reasonable cause.
The National Health Insurance Service said that because the other (G-1) status of stay is a system under which the state permits temporary and short-term residence for humanitarian reasons, the period of stay and income are unstable, and allowing these individuals to enroll in health insurance could undermine fiscal soundness and raise concerns about abusing the system, such as entering the country to use insurance.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), however, determined that a foreigner's status of stay is unlikely to constitute discrimination on other grounds under the NHRC Act, and dismissed the petition on the grounds that it did not fall under those surveyed.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) noted, however, that guardians of undocumented long-term resident children in Korea have a strong need for medical protection, given that they inevitably have to reside in the country for an extended period for the children's growth and education. It also said that in situations that involve health risks such as pregnancy and childbirth, lack of health insurance coverage could significantly restrict access to essential medical services.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) assessed that, rather than formally distinguishing eligible enrollees for regional health insurance by detailed subtypes of status of stay, authorities should comprehensively consider the need for humanitarian stay, actual living conditions, and the need to access medical services.
Accordingly, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) expressed the view that the National Health Insurance Service needs to amend relevant rules, such as enforcement regulations, so that guardians of undocumented long-term resident children in Korea can also enroll in regional health insurance.