The Jeonbuk Hope Sharing Foundation urged Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province to proactively establish an "Integrated Care Center" in line with the "Integrated Care Support Act," which is scheduled to be implemented in March 2026, and to advance as a leading "Care Special Self-Governing Province" nationwide.

The "Act on Integrated Support for Local Care, including Medical and Long-Term Care" (abbreviated as the Integrated Care Support Act) is a law aimed at providing integrated care services such as medical and long-term care to residents who have difficulty performing daily activities, enabling them to lead a healthy life in the community. The law passed through the National Assembly in February and is set to be implemented on March 27, 2026.

The Jeonbuk Hope Sharing Foundation highlighted that this law assigns comprehensive responsibility for local care to local government heads and provides a legal basis for establishing dedicated organizations. They emphasized that with the legal foundation in place, the will and readiness of local governments will now determine the quality of care policies, asserting that Jeonbuk Province must take the lead as a pioneer in care policies.

The foundation proposed that Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province take the lead by establishing the "Integrated Care Center" first and establish a one-stop administrative system that encompasses care for all generations, including the elderly, people with disabilities, and children. They also stressed the need for substantial local preparations through the establishment of care delivery systems, identification of beneficiaries, enactment of ordinances, and securing of funds.

In particular, as Article 4 of the Integrated Care Support Act specifies the obligation of the provincial governor to secure infrastructure and funds, the foundation stated that Jeonbuk Province should collaborate with cities and counties to expand public and private resources and establish a local care network. Furthermore, they added that care is not just a simple welfare issue but a societal foundation for the dignified lives of all residents, emphasizing the importance of creating a communal care culture.

The Jeonbuk region is characterized by diverse care demands as a rural-agricultural complex area with a rapidly aging population. The foundation warned that "if preparations are not made now, care gaps cannot be avoided," stressing that Jeonbuk Province should take the lead in presenting a national model through proactive measures and leading the realization of an inclusive society without care blind spots.