[SEOUL] — In a significant move to address the skyrocketing medical costs and health challenges posed by renal diseases, a dedicated legislative framework for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has been introduced in the National Assembly. Following the precedents of the "Cancer Control Act" and the "Cerebrovascular Disease Act," the proposed "Chronic Kidney Disease Management Act" aims to provide a comprehensive state-supported system for prevention and treatment.

Addressing a "Blind Spot" in Current Legislation
Representative Nam In-soon of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea announced on February 13, 2026, that she has representative-proposed the enactment of the bill. According to Rep. Nam, the current legal framework—primarily the "Act on the Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases"—is insufficient for kidney patients.

"Existing laws are designed around general lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension," Rep. Nam stated. "They fail to reflect the unique characteristics of CKD, which requires continuous, facility-based treatments such as dialysis once the condition progresses."

The Growing Crisis: A 2.8 Trillion Won Burden
Medical experts define CKD as a condition where kidney damage or decreased function persists for more than three months. It significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular complications and can lead to permanent End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

The urgency of the bill is underscored by alarming statistics:

Prevalence: 1 in 10 South Korean adults over the age of 30 suffers from CKD.
Growth: The number of patients and total medical expenses have more than doubled over the past decade due to aging and rising rates of obesity and diabetes.
Global Standing: South Korea currently has one of the highest growth rates of ESRD caused by diabetic nephropathy in the world.
Costs: As of last year, there were 364,938 CKD patients in Korea. Total health insurance expenditures reached 2.81 trillion KRW, with per-patient costs averaging 7.7 million KRW.

Key Provisions of the Proposed Act
The bill, drafted in consultation with the Korean Society of Nephrology, includes several structural mandates to ensure patient safety and financial relief:

National Committee & 5-Year Plan: The Minister of Health and Welfare must establish a "Chronic Kidney Disease Management Committee" and formulate a comprehensive management plan every five years.
Financial Support: The state and local governments will be authorized to provide subsidies for treatment costs, taking into account the economic status of patients with ESRD.
Registration and Statistics: A formal system to register and manage patients who meet clinical criteria for ESRD will be established to facilitate research and preventive measures.
Quality Control of Dialysis: To ensure patient safety, the bill introduces a mandatory certification system for artificial kidney units (dialysis centers) to improve the quality of treatment.

Legislative Outlook
Rep. Nam In-soon was joined by 10 other lawmakers in co-sponsoring the bill, including Representatives Jeon Jin-sook, Park Hee-seung, and Kim Yun. Proponents argue that since kidneys cannot be restored once damaged, early national intervention is the only way to prevent the socio-economic collapse of affected households.

If passed, the act is expected to shift the paradigm of kidney care from individual responsibility to a proactive national health priority.

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