대한민국 Government Policy Update — 2026-05-13

Major Policy and Legislative Changes

Ministry of Health and Welfare — Three bills passed by the National Assembly

On May 8, 2026, the National Assembly passed three bills under the Ministry of Health and Welfare: the Framework Act on Low Birth Rate and Aging Society amendment, the Emergency Medical Service Act amendment, and a bill to strengthen the protection of sensitive patient information. The Emergency Medical Service Act amendment aims to close gaps in pediatric emergency care, while the Framework Act on Low Birth Rate and Aging Society amendment focuses on institutionalizing shifts in population policy.

Fair Trade Commission (National Policy Committee) — Bill on funeral service closures clears subcommittee

A bill designed to help consumers immediately identify and respond when prepaid installment transaction businesses, such as funeral service providers, close down after collecting membership fees has passed the first subcommittee of the National Policy Committee. The key objective is to ensure consumers can promptly exercise their rights when grounds for damage compensation arise.

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs — Supply and demand measures for napa cabbage, radishes, and onions

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Minister Song Mi-ryung) announced plans to stabilize the prices of key vegetables, which have dropped sharply due to increased spring shipments following the winter season. The plan also includes measures to handle supply and demand risks from extreme weather (early monsoon, high heat) expected after June, developed with direct input from farmers.

National Assembly Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee — Subcommittee and plenary sessions held

On May 12, the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee held a subcommittee meeting on agricultural bills (10:00 AM, Main Building 501) and a plenary session (4:00 PM, Main Building 501). The first subcommittee of the National Policy Committee also met on the same day at 10:00 AM in Main Building 604.

1 sources

yna.co.kr

2026년 세계경제전망 발표 | 연합뉴스

Regulatory Improvements and Administrative Changes

The Blue House (Cheongwadae) — Hinting at expansionary fiscal policy for 2027

As the government works on the 2027 budget, the Blue House has hinted at an expansionary fiscal stance. The policy aims to align government spending with the "super-boom" in the semiconductor industry, emphasizing a "flexible fiscal" approach that reflects the performance of key companies like Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.

Institutionalizing funeral service consumer protection — Strengthening prepaid installment transaction regulations

New institutional mechanisms have been established to allow consumers to detect and respond faster if a prepaid installment business closes or if grounds for paying damage compensation occur. This bill is intended to resolve issues where consumers previously suffered losses due to delayed awareness of business closures.

Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs — Strengthening weather-related supply management

The Ministry stated it will focus all efforts on price stability by preparing simultaneous supply and demand measures for cabbage, radishes, and onions to combat extreme weather conditions like early monsoons and high temperatures starting in June. The plan is noted for incorporating the voices of farmers on the ground.

1 sources

fnnews.com

fnnews.com

Policy Impact and Upcoming Schedule

• Addressing pediatric emergency gaps: With the passage of the Emergency Medical Service Act, institutional gaps in pediatric emergency care are expected to be closed. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will now proceed with revising enforcement decrees and implementing the changes in the field.

• Institutionalizing population policy changes: The amendment to the Framework Act on Low Birth Rate and Aging Society provides a legal foundation for policies responding to demographic shifts. Viewed as a turning point for Korean society, follow-up enforcement plans are expected to follow.

• Funeral consumer protection bill to be tabled: Having passed the subcommittee, the bill on immediate response to funeral business closures still requires approval from the National Policy Committee plenary session and the National Assembly’s final plenary vote.

• Intensive implementation of vegetable supply measures before June: The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is currently implementing measures to stabilize supply and demand in response to price drops from spring harvest and to prepare for extreme weather after June, with a goal of proactive management before the early rainy season begins.