Handuksoo "Hope to Form Dialogue Between Government and Medical Community... Working Together"

"Challenges Must Be Resolved Through Candid Conversations"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is attending a discussion on current issues related to medical reform at Seoul National University College of Medicine in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 26th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo met with representatives from the medical and educational sectors at Seoul National University Hospital on the 26th, stating, "I hope a dialogue channel between the government and the medical community will be established," and added, "We will resolve various difficulties through frank discussions."

During the meeting held in the large conference room of the College of Medicine at Seoul National University Yeongeon Campus in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Prime Minister Han said, "I hope this will be an opportunity to listen to the residents' stories and promptly address the inconveniences faced by the public."

In addition to Prime Minister Han, the meeting was attended by Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education; Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare; and Park Gu-yeon, First Deputy Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination.

From the medical and educational sectors, attendees included Yoo Hong-rim, President of Seoul National University; Kim Young-tae, Director of Seoul National University Hospital; Kim Jeong-eun, Dean of Seoul National University College of Medicine; Yoon Eul-sik, President of the Korean Association of Private University Hospitals; Shin Chan-soo, Chairman of the Korean Council of Medical Schools; Kim Dong-won, President of Korea University; Yoon Dong-seop, President of Yonsei University; Yoo Ji-beom, President of Sungkyunkwan University; and Oh Yeon-cheon, President of Ulsan University.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is speaking at a discussion on current issues related to medical reform held at Seoul National University College of Medicine in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 26th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Prime Minister Han said, "Due to various recent issues in the medical community, the public and patients are very concerned," adding, "I believe the stakeholders and those who can solve the problems want to establish a constructive dialogue channel to empathize with and understand each other's positions."

He continued, "Until now, there has been no official communication channel with the medical community, making it difficult to properly convey the government's sincerity," and emphasized, "The government will actively engage in dialogue with the heads of the medical and educational sectors and work together to find solutions."

Yoo Hong-rim, President of Seoul National University, also stated, "From both the public's and the government's perspectives, forming a consultative body is a necessary step for advancing future medical reforms," and added, "I believe establishing a consultative body is needed before forming a specific special committee on medical reform."

Originally, the government planned to begin suspending the licenses of residents who had not returned to work following the work commencement order starting that day. However, after President Yoon Suk-yeol accepted a proposal from Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, on the 24th and instructed Prime Minister Han to initiate dialogue, this meeting was arranged.