KOREA WHO
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President of the National Health Insurance Service
Kang Cheong-hee
Thoracic surgeon with experience in medical associations, insurance and politics emphasizes income-based premium reform [2026]
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Last Updated on Sep 23, 2026
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President of the National Health Insurance Service
Life Summary
Kang Cheong-hee is president of the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS).
Kang is working to ensure the sustainability of the health insurance system, which has moved into deficit, by preventing financial leakage and reforming the medical fee reimbursement system.
Kang was born in Seoul on June 29, 1964.
Kang graduated from Daeshin High School in Seoul and Yonsei University’s Wonju College of Medicine, and earned a master’s degree in medicine, specializing in thoracic surgery, from Yonsei University’s graduate school.
After serving as medical director and head of thoracic surgery at Hyemin Hospital, Kang opened Yonsei Seoul Clinic in 2004.
Kang served as executive director for general affairs and full-time vice president of the Korean Medical Association, director of the Giheung District Public Health Center in Yongin, executive director for benefits at the NHIS, and president of the Korea Public Tissue Bank.
Kang entered politics in December 2023 as a recruit of the Democratic Party of Korea. Kang ran in Seoul’s Gangnam B constituency in the 22nd National Assembly election in 2024 but was defeated.
In July 2026, Kang was appointed the first NHIS president under the Lee Jae-myung administration.
A thoracic surgeon by training, Kang is a healthcare expert whose experience spans medical associations, the health insurer, local public health administration and party politics.
Kang is working to ensure the sustainability of the health insurance system, which has moved into deficit, by preventing financial leakage and reforming the medical fee reimbursement system.
Kang was born in Seoul on June 29, 1964.
Kang graduated from Daeshin High School in Seoul and Yonsei University’s Wonju College of Medicine, and earned a master’s degree in medicine, specializing in thoracic surgery, from Yonsei University’s graduate school.
After serving as medical director and head of thoracic surgery at Hyemin Hospital, Kang opened Yonsei Seoul Clinic in 2004.
Kang served as executive director for general affairs and full-time vice president of the Korean Medical Association, director of the Giheung District Public Health Center in Yongin, executive director for benefits at the NHIS, and president of the Korea Public Tissue Bank.
Kang entered politics in December 2023 as a recruit of the Democratic Party of Korea. Kang ran in Seoul’s Gangnam B constituency in the 22nd National Assembly election in 2024 but was defeated.
In July 2026, Kang was appointed the first NHIS president under the Lee Jae-myung administration.
A thoracic surgeon by training, Kang is a healthcare expert whose experience spans medical associations, the health insurer, local public health administration and party politics.