This policy brief, published by the WHO Centre for Health Development, explores the Republic of Korea’s long-term care (LTC) insurance system and the coordination challenges it faces between health and social services. Authored by Professor Soonman Kwon of Seoul National University, the brief outlines the country’s centralised LTC insurance model, which is funded through a mix of insurance contributions, government subsidies, and user copayments. While this structure promotes equity and efficiency, concerns around financial sustainability and poor integration with national health insurance persist.
The brief highlights how a lack of coordination can lead to older adults receiving inappropriate levels of care—for instance, being admitted to LTC hospitals despite limited medical needs. It also discusses Korea’s quality evaluation framework and financial incentives for high-performing providers. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers seeking to strengthen integrated, person-centred care systems in the context of population ageing.