Eight years have passed since discussions began on adding hepatitis C (HCV) screening as a free item in Korea’s national health examination program. Despite various supporting evidence that was produced during the period, including the feasibility study that started in 2016, and an analysis that showed that it was cost-effective to include HCV as a national health examination item, as well as the results of the pilot project, the government's intentions are still unclear. Recently, more feasibility analyses and follow-up management measures have also been released on the matter.

One of the major reasons why the government was reluctant to introduce HCV screening to the national health examination was