Lee Jae-myung: "Government's Response to Medical Strike, Solving with Fists Instead of Words"

Doctors on strike, government must stop 'suppression show'
Political show over medical school expansion risks national scandal
Expansion of 400-500 students is appropriate

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the government's response to collective actions in the medical sector such as resignation and strikes, saying, "They are using prosecutors to solve issues that should be addressed through dialogue with force."

At the on-site Supreme Council meeting held at the Democratic Party's Incheon City Office on the morning of the 26th, Lee Jae-myung stated, "The worst behavior is the private abuse of power entrusted by the people," and added, "There is suspicion that they will put on a 'political show' by aggressively claiming 2,000 people, then pretending to back down and compromise at around 400 to 500 people to create the appearance of an achievement. If they provoke an aggressive response by presenting such an extreme number and then suppress it harshly to make it seem like a tremendous accomplishment, it would be a typical case of abuse of power and a representative example of state mismanagement."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the on-site Supreme Council meeting held at the Incheon City Party Office on the 26th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Lee emphasized, "Currently, the medical school quota is 3,000, but if you increase it by 2,000, can universities immediately accommodate that number? It is impossible." He continued, "There is also research under review suggesting that if the quota is increased by an appropriate scale of 400 to 500 students annually over 10 years, the supply and demand problem can be resolved."

He said, "According to what we have identified, the medical community generally agrees with a sequential increase of 400 to 500 students," and stressed, "Instead of threatening to arrest 2,000 people and provoking strikes, they should come to the dialogue table. It is time to gather public opinion and discuss an appropriate (increase) scale."

Addressing the medical community, he urged, "I hope you will stop the medical strike and engage in dialogue." He added, "Your role is to protect the health of the people, and you have been granted a special right called a license," and said, "Even if others have the skills, they cannot perform medical treatment. That much responsibility must be borne."