[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The Democratic Party of Korea announced on the 17th that it will actively work on enacting the Nursing Act through cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties before the presidential election. This is interpreted as a follow-up measure to candidate Lee Jae-myung's promise on the 11th to "actively promote the enactment of the Nursing Act for universal health coverage for all citizens."
On the same day, Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Byung-wook, Seo Young-seok, Kim Min-seok, and Hong Young-pyo held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "We will promptly enact the Nursing Act in the National Assembly through cooperation with the opposition parties before the presidential election." They emphasized, "We will no longer delay discussions on the enactment of the Nursing Act due to elections or the need to adjust interests among professional groups, and will immediately resume discussions for the enactment of the Nursing Act."
The Nursing Act, which focuses on improving nurses' working conditions, securing an adequate number of nurses, and strengthening the role of nurses, went through a public hearing in August last year and received support not only from both ruling and opposition parties but also from the government during the National Assembly's bill review subcommittee in November.
They said, "Since it has already been over 50 days since the discussions in the bill review subcommittee, the government will immediately review the positions adjusted among the professional groups, and any deficiencies will be supplemented and decided during the National Assembly's bill review process."
In particular, with not only candidate Lee but also People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl expressing their intention to promote the act, active discussions on the enactment of the Nursing Act are expected to proceed before the presidential election.
On the 11th, candidate Lee emphasized the necessity of enacting the Nursing Act through Facebook, saying, "Without a proper Nursing Act, poor working conditions and treatment continue, and under such circumstances, the health of the people cannot be properly cared for." On the same day, candidate Yoon also visited the Korean Nurses Association and said, "We cannot only demand nurses' sense of duty in the endless tunnel of COVID-19," adding, "It is fairness and common sense for the government to provide appropriate treatment."
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