Foreword (January 2025, Health and Welfare Policy Forum)

Abstract

As the year 2025 unfolds, health and welfare policies will face both ongoing challenges and emerging opportunities. Low birthrates, demographic aging, changes in the labor market and family structures, and growing economic uncertainties continue to shape policies in health care, social service, income security, and population. These trends underscore the need for active, forward-looking policymaking to make Korea more inclusive and sustainable. The Health and Welfare Forum this month examines prospects and critical challenges in these four policy areas and suggests directions to consider for 2025 and beyond. The feature articles explore in turn healthcare reform measures directed at reducing regional disparities in health service access, alternative income security programs adapted to socioeconomic changes, strategies for allocating quality social services to those most in need, and population policies for building a sustainable social foundation. We hope that through this January issue, readers gain insights into the future directions within each of, and across, the health and welfare policy areas discussed. We also hope to see our readers actively participate in shaping health and welfare policies for not only responding to immediate needs but creating a future with resilience and a vision.