This presentation examines key policy lessons from the Republic of Korea's experience on the COVID-19 response, which it hopes to share to LMICs.

Governance plays a key role in the health policy response to a pandemic, including trust, transparency and communication. Health financing and universal health coverage improves access to treatment for patients. Purchasing mechanisms, covering both public and private providers, enhance the capacity of the health system to respond to the surge of patients during an outbreak. Major challenges remain regarding the protection of the vulnerable population such as poor, older people as well as privacy concerns.