South Korean Students to Choose Health Check-up Providers from Next Year

Beginning next year, South Korean elementary, middle, and high school students will gain the flexibility to select their preferred medical facilities and schedule for their annual health examinations. This initiative is part of a broader overhaul of the national health screening system. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the "4th National Health Screening Comprehensive Plan (2026-2030)" following approval from the National Health Screening Committee. Under the new plan, the school-administered student health check-ups will be integrated into the national health screening framework, managed by the National Health Insurance Service. This integration aims to create a unified system for health data accumulation across an individual's lifespan, enabling more personalized health services. Jeon Eun-jeong, head of the Health Promotion Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated that consolidating screening results held by schools with the National Health Insurance Service would facilitate the collection of comprehensive, lifelong health data. The scope of blood tests for students will expand to include those who are overweight, not just obese children. Chest X-ray screenings will be reserved for high-risk individuals identified through medical questionnaires. Additionally, the screening periods for infants and toddlers are being adjusted to minimize gaps in pre-school health management. The plan also includes the introduction of colonoscopy screenings into the national program starting in 2028.

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School-specific screening results will be secured by the National Health Insurance Service, enabling the accumulation of lifelong data and support for customized services.