PM calls for AI-based medical services

On August 6, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook announced plans to bolster artificial intelligence in the healthcare sector, including expanding telemedicine to remote areas, during a government policy coordination meeting in Seoul. The prime minister emphasized that everyone has the right to receive timely medical care, regardless of their location.

AI technology will be employed to address gaps in regional, core, and public medical services, according to Han. This includes enhancing telemedicine for individuals who find it difficult to access in-person medical care and ensuring timely support for emergency patients, a critical period that can significantly impact survival rates and prevent long-term damage.

Furthermore, Han stated that the government intends to empower individuals to monitor their health independently, while simultaneously constructing a Korean-style sovereign medical AI framework by establishing a data hub to consolidate dispersed health and medical information. However, she cautioned against the primary goal of merely adopting advanced technologies, stressing the paramount importance of safeguarding people's lives and health through these innovations.

Personal data protection will be a critical concern in this endeavor. During the meeting, additional discussions focused on mitigating traffic accident fatalities, with the government setting a 30 percent reduction target by 2030. To achieve this goal, Han outlined plans to improve pedestrian safety through AI-enhanced traffic signal management, such as extending walk signals, and installing specific traffic lights for right-turning vehicles at crosswalks.