Esteemed fellow citizens, and members of the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs,

Greetings.

The hopeful year of 2026―the Year of the Fire Horse (Byeong-o)―has dawned. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude for the trust and support you have shown to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs over the past year. I wish all our citizens continued health and well-being in the year ahead. The Year of the Fire Horse is said to represent the energy of fire combined with the horse’s dynamism, thus embodying renewal, action, and advancement. How we prepare ourselves will determine whether this new year truly becomes the leap forward it promises to be.

At present, the fields of health and welfare face a complex array of policy challenges: rapid demographic shifts characterized by low fertility and an aging population; structural imbalances in the supply and demand of the health workforce; vulnerabilities in regional, essential, and public healthcare; an escalating demand for care services; heightened health risks driven by climate change; and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data technologies. Viewed in this light, 2026 is poised to be the initial year of a great transformation. Effectively addressing these challenges demands sophisticated policy design and evidence-based decision-making not only to meet short-term needs but also to provide a sustainable mid- to long-term vision. The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs has rigorously assessed the implications of demographic shifts for health and welfare, and provided policy alternatives in response.

Through research on health workforce projections, the strengthening of regional, essential, and public healthcare, and the sustainability of care systems, the Institute has presented concrete policy options. We also focus on income security throughout the life course, service delivery efficiency, and health data infrastructure. In particular, we emphasize feasibility, ensuring our research move beyond reports to drive actual policy changes and institutional reforms.

Embracing the spirit of action and forward-moving of the Year of the Fire Horse, KIHASA will dedicate its full institutional capabilities on the following priorities in 2026.

First, we will establish demographic shifts―such as low fertility and population aging―as the foundational premise for all health and welfare policies, responding to changing demands in health and social care and reexamining the income security framework from a mid- to long-term perspective.

Second, we will devote ourselves to research aimed at realizing a basic society in which the fundamental living standards of all citizens are guaranteed.

Third, recognizing that the health workforce and regional, essential, and public health services are the bedrock of the national health system, we will intensify our research into bridging regional disparities and establishing sustainable workforce policies.

Fourth, we will leverage AI and health and welfare data to the utmost to enhance our analytical capacity, allowing us to proactively forecast policy needs and provide robust support for evidence-based policy-making.

Fifth, we will expand interdisciplinary research to address structural social risks―such as the impact of climate change on public health and the escalating demand for care―thereby bolstering the sustainability and response capacity of our policy frameworks.

In addition, we will uphold the highest standards of fairness and transparency throughout all stages of our research. By fostering close cooperation with the central government, the National Assembly, local governments, and practitioners in the field, we will fulfill our responsibility to ensure that research outcomes translate into tangible policy and institutional improvements. The Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs remains steadfast in its commitment to serving as a premier hub for evidence-based health and welfare policy.

I hope that the Year of the Fire Horse brings an opportunity for renewed progress for our society, and I look forward to your continued interest and partnership in the year ahead.

I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.

Thank you.

January 2026

Shin Youngseok

President, Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs