Lee Jae-myung: "Let's Form a '4-Party Consultative Body' to End the Medical Strike"

"Severe Patient Harm Due to Government-Medical Sector Clash"
"Medical Sector Irresponsible... Return to the Field Immediately"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed "forming a four-party consultative body encompassing the ruling party, opposition parties, the government, and the medical community to end the medical sector strike crisis."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 4th, Lee criticized, "As the direct confrontation between the government and the medical community prolongs, the damage to the public is increasing," adding, "Extreme cases of harm such as deaths due to miscarriages and delayed surgeries are occurring one after another on the ground." He also pointed out, "The government must stop irresponsibly provoking conflicts, neglecting them, and trying to exploit them politically," emphasizing, "The government ultimately bears the responsibility for the lives of the people."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He continued, "The government provoked the medical community by presenting an excessive goal of increasing personnel by 2,000," and claimed, "Within the medical community, there is a willingness to agree to an increase of about 500 doctors." He then stressed, "If words can be used, why resort to fists?" and "It is time for everyone to pool wisdom to quickly resolve the situation." He reiterated, "(The government) must present realistically achievable goals and immediately resolve the medical crisis through dialogue with the medical community."

He also voiced criticism toward the medical community. Lee said, "The medical community even went ahead with large-scale outdoor rallies; what kind of irresponsible behavior is this?" and pointed out, "The minimum duty is to fight while staying by the patients' side." He added, "Due to the prolonged standoff without any countermeasures, patients are deeply distressed," urging, "I hope the strike will be immediately stopped and medical personnel will return to the field."

The Emergency Response Committee of the Korean Medical Association held a 'National Doctors' General Rally to Block the Increase of Medical School Quotas and Essential Medical Package' near Yeouidae-ro in Seoul on the afternoon of the previous day.