SEOUL, Aug. 6 (Yonhap) -- The government will strengthen artificial intelligence-based medical services, including telemedicine for those living in remote regions, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said Thursday.

"It is a fundamental right of the people to receive necessary medical services at the right time regardless of where we live," Han said during a government policy coordination meeting. "We will utilize AI to fill in the gaps in regional, core and public medical services."

Han said AI will be used to support telemedicine for those struggling to access face-to-face medical care and to secure the golden time for emergency patients, a key window of opportunity to ensure the highest chance of survival and prevent permanent harm.

"Additionally, we will enable the people to monitor their health conditions on their own, while building the foundation for a Korean-style sovereign medical AI through the establishment of a health and medical data hub that integrates scattered data," Han said.

"However, introducing cutting-edge technologies itself should not be the objective. What's important is how we can protect the people's lives and health through this," she said, adding that extra care should be taken to ensure the protection of personal information.

Also discussed during the meeting were measures to reduce traffic accident deaths.

Han said 2,549 people lost their lives in traffic accidents last year and the government aims to reduce such deaths by 30 percent by 2030. The primary focus will be on enhancing pedestrian safety through measures such as extending walk signals using AI and installing traffic lights for right-turning vehicles at crosswalks, she said.

(END)

  • Fans, celebrities support BTS' Grammy boycott
  • S. Korea in talks with U.S. military over air base access following white phosphorus leak: sources
  • Galaxy Z series logs 1.44 mln preorders in S. Korea, highest on record
  • (2nd LD) U.S. military drone flies over inter-Korean border area, prompts civilian evacuation

  • Singer-actor Cha Eun-woo files appeal after paying 13 bln won in taxes

  • Fans, celebrities support BTS' Grammy boycott

  • S. Korea in talks with U.S. military over air base access following white phosphorus leak: sources
  • (LEAD) Police raid Starbucks Korea over controversial promotional event
  • (3rd LD) Temperatures soar to record 42.5 C in southeast

  • (2nd LD) New U.S. Amb. Steel vows efforts to ensure alliance with S. Korea as 'linchpin' of peace

  • (LEAD) Lee cites coup risk from Army elite, calls for swift integration of military academies

  • Heat-related death toll rises to 21 amid serious heat wave
  • (LEAD) Police raid Starbucks Korea over controversial promotional event
  • Galaxy Z series logs 1.44 mln preorders in S. Korea, highest on record
  • Unification ministry proposes not calling N. Korea 'main enemy'