Will Han Dong-hoon Resolve the 'Medical School Expansion' Issue... Testing His Policy Problem-Solving Skills

Changes in the General Election Landscape Depending on Medical School Expansion Resolution
First Yeouido Morning Greeting After Launching the Election Committee

The People Power Party is focusing on resolving the pressing issue of 'medical school expansion.' Inside and outside the party, there is an assessment that Han Dong-hoon, the emergency response committee chairman of the People Power Party who settled conflicts with the presidential office such as the 'Lee Jong-seop and Hwang Sang-moo' controversy, is now on the test as a policy troubleshooter.

On the 25th, Chairman Han held an on-site election committee meeting at the Hanyang University Alumni Hall in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, stating, "The government’s policy to handle the punishment of medical residents flexibly and to form a constructive consultative body between medical professionals and the government for dialogue was reported yesterday," and emphasized, "The People Power Party will also do its best to mediate and engage in necessary dialogue."

Earlier, Chairman Han met with the presidents of the National Medical School Professors' Association the day before. At Han’s request, President Yoon Suk-yeol told Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, "Please seek flexible handling measures in consultation with the party," and "Please promote dialogue by forming a constructive consultative body with medical professionals." The presidential office also instructed to "seek flexible handling" of license suspensions for medical residents, increasing the possibility of opening a channel for dialogue between the government and the medical community, which had been blocked until now. There is also analysis that the outcome of the medical school expansion issue could affect the general election landscape.

Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is greeting citizens on their way to work in front of Exit 5 of Yeouido Station, Seoul, on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Hong Seok-jun, head of the comprehensive situation office of the People Power Party’s election committee, said on YTN Radio that day, "This is the point at which the public is watching how the government and ruling party adjust and resolve the conflict phase," adding, "There is also an opinion that the ruling party should resolve it quickly. It is necessary to quickly restore the dialogue channel and have frank conversations." Yoon Sang-hyun, the People Power Party candidate for Incheon Dong-gu Michuhol-gu Eul, also wrote on his Facebook that day, "For this mediation not to be empty words, each side must form a consultative body with counterparts who can have frank dialogue," and suggested, "Co-chairman Ahn Cheol-soo, a doctor and member of the National Assembly, and In Yo-han, a medical school professor and chairman of the People’s Future election committee, are suitable candidates."

Handonghun, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is greeting citizens on their way to work in front of Exit 5 of Yeouido Station, Seoul, on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

Meanwhile, Chairman Han greeted commuters on his way to work for the first time since taking on the role of overall election committee chairman that day. Wearing a red jumper, Chairman Han offered a '90-degree bow' to citizens commuting at Yeouido Station in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, for about 20 minutes from 8 a.m. Slightly awkward, with his hands clasped, Chairman Han bowed his head in response when Park Yong-chan, a candidate running in Yeongdeungpo Eul, bowed to greet.

The reason Chairman Han took to greeting commuters in the morning is due to repeated analyses that the People Power Party is struggling ahead of the April 10 general election. In fact, the party’s approval rating is declining. According to a party support survey conducted by Realmeter commissioned by Energy Economics from the 21st to 22nd among 1,004 people aged 18 and over nationwide (95% confidence level, margin of error ±3.1 percentage points), the People Power Party recorded 37.1%, and the Democratic Party 42.8%. Although the gap between the two parties’ support rates is within the margin of error, the People Power Party dropped 0.8 percentage points from the previous survey, while the Democratic Party rose 2.0 percentage points. This survey was conducted via automated response with 97% mobile and 3% landline, with a response rate of 4.3%. For more details, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.