Refugees in Korea to get medical support

The South Korean government will provide extensive medical support for foreign refugees and asylum seekers who have had limited access to health-care services while staying in the nation, government officials in Seoul said yesterday.

The new medical support policy, set to take effect today, is expected to benefit about 1,000 foreign refugees, asylum seekers and their children, who have had difficulties in signing up for medical insurance, said the officials.

Under the new system, refugees and their children will be given up to 5 million won ($4,132) at a time when they receive medical treatment from 64 state-designated hospitals nationwide.

“This measure will greatly benefit asylum seekers awaiting a government decision on their applications, as well as temporary refugees who have a medical emergency during their stay in Korea,” said Cha Gyu-geun, an official at the Justice Ministry. “We hope this system can help secure their rights to decent minimum health care on humanitarian grounds.” Yonhap