On December 1, 2025, a significant step was taken in South Korea to bolster both national security and welfare for veterans, as two major agreements were signed and launched in Gangwon-do. These agreements, involving the National Security Office, the National Police Agency, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and the National Health Insurance Service, aim to address pressing issues ranging from illegal activities threatening national security to the welfare blind spots faced by low-income veterans and their families.
At the heart of the day’s events was Kwon Oh-wool, the Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, who played a pivotal role in both ceremonies. According to News1, Kwon made a public statement at the National Security Office headquarters in Gangwon-do, emphasizing, “The importance of protecting national security cannot be overstated.” His remarks underscored the government’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the nation amid evolving threats, both domestic and international.
Shortly after, another milestone unfolded at the headquarters of the National Health Insurance Service in Wonju. Here, Minister Kwon and Jeong Gi-seok, the president of the National Health Insurance Service, formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on bridging the welfare gap for low-income veterans and their families. The agreement, as reported by Aju News and Financial News, centers on the “Strengthening of Big Data Linkage and Utilization” to proactively identify and support veterans who have not been able to access long-term care benefits—often simply because they were unaware of the application process.
This welfare blind spot has long been a source of frustration for many elderly veterans and their families. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs currently supports between 40% and 80% of out-of-pocket costs for veterans and their families using long-term care facilities. However, as Minister Kwon pointed out, “There are those who have not received the benefits they deserve simply because they did not know how to apply.” The new system, developed in partnership with the National Health Insurance Service, leverages big data to immediately verify whether veterans are using care services and whether they qualify for reduced payments, thereby eliminating the need for cumbersome paperwork or prior knowledge of the system.
To ensure the privacy and security of sensitive personal information, the Ministry completed a thorough review and approval process with the Personal Information Protection Commission, as required under South Korean law. The agreement includes strict guidelines for the protection of personal information and human rights, a point emphasized in all official statements. According to Financial News, “The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs has completed the necessary deliberations and decisions by the Personal Information Protection Commission to utilize sensitive information under the Personal Information Protection Act.”
But the ambitions of the agreement do not stop at financial support. Both organizations intend to use big data to address additional challenges faced by veterans, such as preventing solitary deaths among those living alone. By analyzing patterns and signals from a variety of data sources, the agencies hope to intervene early and provide targeted support to those most at risk. The partnership is seen as a direct response to the government’s broader policy direction: to dismantle bureaucratic barriers that prevent people from receiving the support they are entitled to. As the Ministry put it, this is a practical measure to “actively implement the current government’s policy of removing application-based obstacles and ensuring that those who deserve support receive it without unnecessary hurdles.”
Minister Kwon expressed his gratitude to the National Health Insurance Service, stating, “I thank the National Health Insurance Service for joining forces to provide seamless welfare support to those who have sacrificed for the country. We will continue to work closely with the Service to ensure that there are no welfare blind spots for elderly veterans and their families.”
The day’s events did not end with the signing of the agreement. Minister Kwon visited the Korea Veterans Welfare and Medical Corporation and the Wonju Veterans Nursing Home, where he met with residents and listened to their concerns. He also held a roundtable discussion with local veterans’ association leaders, reaffirming his commitment to ongoing dialogue and collaboration at the grassroots level.
Meanwhile, on the national security front, the National Security Office and the National Police Agency signed their own MOU on “Behavioral Pattern Analysis and Utilization.” According to Financial News, the agreement was inked at the National Security Office headquarters in Gangwon-do. The primary goal is to investigate and identify illegal activities that threaten national security, using advanced behavioral pattern analysis. This system is designed to monitor and investigate suspicious activities by both domestic and foreign individuals, all while respecting citizens’ rights and privacy.
The MOU outlines clear provisions to ensure that personal information and human rights are protected. The National Security Office has committed to holding regular meetings with relevant agencies to monitor the implementation of the system and make improvements as needed. The agencies are keenly aware of the delicate balance between effective security measures and the protection of individual freedoms—a topic that has sparked debate in many countries, South Korea included.
The use of behavioral pattern analysis is not entirely new, but its formal adoption at this level signals a shift towards more data-driven, proactive security strategies. By focusing on patterns rather than individual data points, authorities hope to detect threats early, without casting an unnecessarily wide net or infringing on the privacy of ordinary citizens. The agreement’s emphasis on human rights is seen as a safeguard against potential misuse, and the commitment to regular oversight meetings is intended to keep the system accountable and transparent.
These parallel developments—on welfare and national security—highlight the South Korean government’s dual focus on care and vigilance. On one hand, there is a concerted effort to ensure that those who have served the nation are not left behind, particularly as they age and face new challenges. On the other, there is a recognition that the security landscape is growing more complex, demanding new tools and approaches that respect both safety and civil liberties.
As South Korea continues to navigate these twin imperatives, the agreements signed on December 1 provide a glimpse into the future: one where technology and empathy go hand in hand, and where the state’s responsibilities are met not just through policy, but through practical, coordinated action. The real test, of course, will be in the months and years ahead, as these systems move from pilot phases to full implementation—and as the people they are designed to protect begin to feel their impact.
