Chapter 95 – No, Surely… (1)

‘We must start right now! The medical insurance system!’

“Even if a nationwide medical insurance is difficult, it is my wish that we start the medical insurance system from now on.”

Kim Ji-hyuk spoke without a shred of hesitation.

“Did you say the medical insurance system just now?”

President Syngman Rhee’s brow seemed to furrow slightly.

The reason he showed difficulty was too simple. There was no funding for it.

Although a world-class(?) health insurance system exists in modern 2024, now was a time when even making a living was difficult, and neither the necessity nor the funding was prepared.

The medical insurance law implemented in 1963 after Park Chung-ui seized power.

However, because it was voluntary registration, it did not hold much significance. Since people struggled just to make ends meet, almost no one could afford the insurance premiums.

At the time, since North Korea introduced a free medical system, the medical insurance system was virtually non-existent, to the extent that there was a rumor that the slipshod medical insurance law was implemented merely for competitive purposes.

“Yes.”

In contrast to Syngman Rhee’s skeptical expression, Kim Ji-hyuk’s eyes were full of confidence.

“Well, that is…”

President Syngman Rhee’s expression was dark.

“…”

“Do you think that is possible?”

President Syngman Rhee slowly shook his head.

“I believe it is fully possible.”

“*Hahaha*, look here, Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk! I fully understand your ambition as a doctor, but looking realistically, it is not a feasible project. However, I highly evaluate your love for the people. It is a dream-like story.”

President Syngman Rhee, who was lost in thought for a moment, spoke with a gentle smile on his lips.

“They say dreams come true!”

Kim Ji-hyuk’s face was still full of confidence.

“Yes. You have to dream for something to happen. But… by any chance, have you ever visited beneath the Cheonggyecheon bridge or the back alleys of Namdaemun Market?”

President Syngman Rhee’s gaze dimmed.

“Yes. I have been there.”

“What did you see there? Rather, what is the most common sight there?”

“I saw vagrants.”

“Indeed. Vagrants! The most common people there would not be merchants or shoppers, but street vagrants. Do you know why I am telling you this?”

President Syngman Rhee fiddled with his chin.

‘I understand what you are trying to say. However, just keep in mind that if we do not start right now, the future of this country will grow dark too!’

“…”

“It is a reality where countless people are starving to death during the spring famine. If even Seoul is like that, how much worse would it be in the provinces? There are no citizens who eat a proper single meal a day. Yet, insurance… does that make any sense?”

In the end, he seemed to want to say that even if they implemented a medical insurance system, there would be almost no one to pay the premiums.

“If a nationwide system is difficult, we can start with a portion.”

“Would that be effective… Unfortunately, more than that, our country has no financial resources to support medical expenses. It is a dream-like story!”

President Syngman Rhee slowly shook his head.

“If there are no government funds, we can start from the private sector.”

“From the private sector?”

“Yes. If the government just enacts the relevant laws, there is ample chance of success, Your Excellency!”

The Blue Cross Medical Insurance Union, which started under the leadership of Dr. Jeong Ki-ryeo in 1968.

By the time it voluntarily dissolved in 1989, it achieved the remarkable result of 4 billion won in accumulated reserves and 8.45 million cumulative treatment benefit recipients.

Until the medical insurance system with mandatory enrollment for workplaces with over 500 employees was completed in 1977, followed by mandatory enrollment for virtually the entire populace in 1989 under government initiative, the Blue Cross Medical Insurance Union made a profound contribution to the health of the common people.

Therefore, Kim Ji-hyuk’s plan was that funds could be sufficiently secured if it was private-led.

Moreover, President Syngman Rhee’s authority was still alive, wasn’t it?

“Private-led…”

“Yes. This may be presumptuous, but if you sell the enterprises left behind by Japan and allocate a portion of those proceeds to support the medical insurance union, I believe the funding will be sufficiently prepared!”

Vested property enterprises liquidation!

Already, the Syngman Rhee regime was planning to secure national finances by selling Japanese imperialist enterprises, namely vested property enterprises, left behind by Japan.

Although the sale of vested property enterprises caused side effects such as creating new conglomerates and thus the corrupt practice of politico-business collusion, it had the positive side of shifting South Korea’s industrial base from petty agriculture to manufacturing.

“Hmm, so you are proposing to create a private-centered medical insurance union using the proceeds from selling vested property enterprises?”

“That is correct. In that case, we can raise the funds without much difficulty. Neither CEO Jeong Sang-yeong of Mirae Construction nor President Lee Sang-cheol of Cheigo Woolen Textile will be able to oppose it.”

“Hmm, that could indeed be a fully possible story.”

President Syngman Rhee nodded.

His thought was that even if they slightly raised the sale price of the vested property enterprises they were planning to sell, the funds would be sufficiently prepared.

Since the vested property enterprises were being sold for a song anyway.

“Yes. If the relevant law is enacted, it will play a major role in public health.”

“Enacting the law is not difficult, but…”

“Most of the enterprises left behind by Japanese imperialists are manufacturing-based. Therefore, domestic conglomerates are bound to drool over them. Please do not hand them over for a song, but have them invest in raising the medical insurance fund.”

“Yes, indeed! It is a proposal with ample potential. I will review it positively.”

“Thank you. And there is one more thing.”

“*Hahaha*, it seems our Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk is pondering a lot for the country?”

“I am humbled.”

“No, why should you be humbled? It is encouraging. Only when there are many young men like you can we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with America or Europe, can we not? Tell me. What is the other thing?”

“I want to carry out new drug development.”

“New drug development?”

“Yes. New drug development will truly be the livelihood that South Korea can live on for the next one hundred years. I believe the funds can be secured through the sale of vested property enterprises.”

Kim Ji-hyuk spoke in a voice full of confidence.

“What kind of new drug do you mean to make?”

“A parasite medicine!”

President Syngman Rhee showed a keen interest in Kim Ji-hyuk’s words.

The parasite problem in South Korea today was that serious. Naturally, he could not help but be interested.

Ivermectin, developed in the 1970s!

It was also a parasite medicine that received spotlight as an alternative Covid treatment when the virus raged worldwide in 2019.

Ivermectin was highly effective against strongyloidiasis, scabies, and head lice, and had outstanding efficacy against onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis, making it a miracle medicine close to a miracle for parasite treatment.

Since this new drug was developed, it showed such a powerful effect that it was designated as an essential medicine by the World Health Organization.

Not only that, it also had an outstanding effect on treating parasites in animals or livestock.

Kim Ji-hyuk intended to pull forward the development of ivermectin by about ten years.

The drug that brought the glory of the Nobel Prize to Satoshi Ōmura, professor emeritus of Kitasato University, was also ivermectin.

“Are you saying we can eradicate parasites?”

President Syngman Rhee’s voice was excited.

“Yes. Eradicating parasites alone will improve the quality of life for the citizens of South Korea far more than now. Of course, the drug must be effective for livestock as well.”

“For animals too?”

“Yes. Just create a new drug research foundation. I will take responsibility and develop the drug.”

Kim Ji-hyuk wore a confident look.

‘The parasite medicine is just the beginning. Because I plan to make world-class new drug developments take place in South Korea in the future!’

“Oh, if only parasites could be eradicated!”

“I plan to make a new drug that can be used not only in South Korea, but worldwide!”

“It is like a dream! New drug development! I thought it was only done by advanced nations like America, the UK, or Sweden.”

“The beginning of new drug development will be South Korea! Please invest, Your Excellency!”

“Hmm, instead of that, how about entering the Ministry of Health? With such ambitions, wouldn’t it be good to join our government and work in earnest? I want to work with Dr. Kim Ji-hyuk.”

‘No! I will absolutely never get involved in politics!’

“Your Excellency! I am a doctor. I merely do what I can do as a doctor, and I do not wish to be involved in politics. It is an honor that you evaluate me highly, but I must decline.”

*Groan—*

“There are not many useful people around me. There are only politicians who just read my expressions. We need pillars of the state like you, Dr. Kim, who truly care for the country.”

President Syngman Rhee showed his disappointment without reservation.

‘Isn’t it inevitable history? The grand flow of history cannot be stopped. This will be your destiny. I, too, have absolutely no desire to change that history!’

“I am sorry. But please tell me whenever you need my help. I will visit anytime!”

“Well, it is a pity.”

President Syngman Rhee smacked his lips.

“Then, may I assume you will grant my request?”

“*Hahaha*, you are indeed very impatient!”

‘There is no time! Because we must secure as much funding as possible, as quickly as possible, before businessmen blinded by self-interest and dirty politicians colluding with them devour all of this!’

“Your Excellency! South Korea has no time to drag its feet. Because twenty-four hours a day is not enough if we want to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Europe or America, as you mentioned.”

“*Hahaha*, I got it. Didn’t I say I would review it positively!”

“Thank you, Your Excellency!”

“When are you returning to the National Medical Center? Shouldn’t you return as quickly as possible to discuss this matter?”

It seemed he definitely liked Kim Ji-hyuk’s proposal.

“Yes. As soon as the Moeundong clinic finds stability, I will head up to the capital.”

“Understood. Then I will take it as such. For now, let us eat. Talking frantically with you, Dr. Ji-hyuk, has made me very hungry.”

“Yes, Your Excellency!”

Thus, an opportunity was created to pull forward South Korea’s medical insurance system by about ten years.

Furthermore, new drug development was a bonus.

* * *

A month later, Moeundong clinic.

After the coal mine accident, everything changed.

The executives and employees of the Okdong Mining Office who were responsible for this incident were immediately dismissed, the government dispatched public officials to oversee safety management, and the clinic also received heavy investments, taking on the shape of a hospital to some extent.

Jeong Min-su, who was trapped in the coal mine with Kim Ji-hyuk, came to work at the clinic as Kim Ji-hyuk said, and one more nurse was recruited to work alongside Nurse Park In-seon.

A substantial role in all these changes was played by Kim Ji-hyuk.

To the point of making people wonder if there had ever been a coal mine accident, the Moeundong Okdong Mining Office regained stability, and the clinic also repeatedly made huge leaps forward, equipping facilities not inferior to any ordinary hospital.

As the reputation of the clinic and Kim Ji-hyuk grew widespread, patients from surrounding cities who heard rumors visited the Moeundong clinic, crowding the place.

Then one day.

“Doctor…”

Member Yun Tae-ho, who saved Kim Ji-hyuk during the last coal mine accident, visited the clinic.