Arguably, health care is very crucial in every country. As a matter of fact, health care conditions and health care funding have some correlation in South Korea. Currently, the health care funding is approximately 2.59 % of the private GDP. This funding include health expenditure on private insurance, direct household spending, as well as charitable donations. The total of health care expenditure is 6.5% of the GDP. In this percentage, approximately 58% of 6.5% GDP goes to government expenditure, while 42% is from the private expenditure. Per capita health care expenditure in South Korea is approximately US$ 1439.
South Korea has tried to maintain the prevalence of HIV/AIDS as low level. In fact, 2 per 10, 000 adults are victims of HIV/AIDS, which is 9500. Whereby the ratio is 10:5 in men to women respectively. The information could be 100% reliable, this is because many Koreans have a strong stigma towards HIV/AIDS meaning many does want to be associated with HIV/AIDS. South Korea tried to maintain the flow of HIV/AIDS into the country. Perhaps the government and society respondents on various measures, which include taking the medical expenses for people with HIV/AIDS In South Korea, it is still a taboo to talk about HIV/AIDS.
Certainly, production of HIV/AIDS drug has become difficult. South Korea is developing technologically; hence, it has the potential to produce its own drug. In fact, South Korea has various Pharmaceutical companies that can potentially be part of producing the drugs. In fact, it is among the influential countries in the field of pharmacy in Asia. South Korean Phamaceuticalcompany has produced one of the generic HIV/AIDS drugs.
In fact, people use different names to talk about the infection. South Koreans are still stereotypes on the issues pertaining to HIV /AIDS. The cultural issue of conservatism is the greatest challenge in South Korea. These sorts of conservative culture make it difficult to address the issue. Koreans are reluctant to be tested, this is because they fear the issue of language, alienation, and association that comes with it when you are positive. The fact that many Koreas are attached to their cultures and associate HIV/AIDS to foreigners is a great challenge that faces the fight against HIV/AIDS. Hence, the distancing from the facts of HIV/AIDS reduces awareness of the causes of it, leading to increased cases of infection.
South Korea abides by the international rights depending on what is contained in its constitution. As a matter of fact, South Korea tends to have an outlook that is similar to the United States, especially on issues related to intellectual property rights. In fact, South Korea is one of the top countries in patent applications. The patent act in South Korea is to protect, utilize as well as encourage inventions, which will lead to the development of technology and industrialization. For example, the case of Apple and Samsung in court was based on infringement of patent rights.
South Korea is a member of WTO. In fact, South Korea has been part of WTO since the year 1995. Based on their membership, it implies that South Korea is part of the liberalization and supervision of international trade that is carried out by the WTO. South Korea has benefited tremendously from its membership with the WTO. For example, South Korea imports many tons of rice under the WTO agreement. In general perspective, being a member of the WTO does not only produce a positive outcome, it also leads to negative impacts. It may lead to various legitimacy crisis.
South Korea and America are partners of trade, in that south Koreas exports 10.1% of the United States. On the other hand, South Korea imports from the United States is 8.5%. Therefore, if US would cut off trade with South Korea, it implies that the economy of South Korea will be affected. The gains that were received from the exports would be cut short. Moreover, the economic benefit that was brought about by importation would also end. It will affect job opportunities, industries, and general GDP.
