Korea Seeks Public Input on Child Rehab Facility Standards

Ministry of Health and Welfare Proposes New Regulations

The Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) has initiated a public consultation period for a new regulation concerning the designation and operation of children’s rehabilitation medical institutions. This “administrative pre-announcement” (행정예고), a standard procedure in Korea for gathering public feedback on proposed government directives, aims to finalize the “Notification on the Designation and Operation of Children’s Rehabilitation Medical Institutions.”

This new guideline is being established under the Act on the Guarantee of Health Rights and Medical Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities. Its primary purpose is to outline detailed standards for the designation, evaluation, and operation of specialized facilities providing rehabilitation services for children.

Key Provisions of the Proposed Regulation

The draft regulation details specific criteria for medical facilities that wish to be designated as children’s rehabilitation institutions. Eligible facilities include existing medical clinics and hospitals, including general rehabilitation hospitals, provided they meet the stipulated standards. Key requirements include:

• Staffing: All essential medical and support personnel must be full-time employees.
• Facilities and Equipment: Institutions must be adequately equipped with necessary facilities, such as dedicated physical therapy rooms, and specialized medical equipment tailored for pediatric rehabilitation.

Designation and Evaluation Process

The process for obtaining designation will involve a thorough evaluation. Medical institutions seeking this designation are required to submit comprehensive information regarding their facilities, equipment, and staffing. The Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA), an organization responsible for reviewing healthcare claims and assessing the quality of medical services in Korea, will conduct on-site inspections as part of the evaluation.

Institutions that successfully meet the initial designation criteria will then undergo a relative evaluation against other applicants. Furthermore, designated facilities will be subject to ongoing assessments to ensure continuous compliance with the established standards and quality of operation. Failure to consistently meet these standards may result in a three-month grace period to rectify deficiencies, after which the designation could be revoked.

How to Submit Your Feedback

The Ministry is inviting individuals, organizations, and institutions to submit their opinions on the proposed regulation. The deadline for feedback is April 13, 2026. Comments should clearly state whether you support or oppose the proposal (with specific reasons for opposition), and must include your name (or organization name and representative), address, and phone number.

Feedback can be submitted via:

• Email: wjdgus3851@korea.kr
• Postal Mail: Disability Health Division, 10F, Annex Building, Ministry of Health and Welfare, 143 Gareum-ro, Sejong Special Self-Governing City, 30116, Republic of Korea

For further details, interested parties can visit the MOHW website (www.mohw.go.kr) and navigate to the ‘Legislation/Administrative Pre-announcement’ section, or contact the Disability Health Division directly at 044-202-3191 or 044-202-3192.

Source: 보건복지부 — Original Article (Korean)