President Yoon's Statement on the National Address
Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, said on the 1st regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's national address on the expansion of medical school quotas, "This is not an issue to be fixated on numbers as it is directly related to the health of the people." This is interpreted as a response to President Yoon's address urging the medical community to present a unified proposal regarding the increase in medical school quotas.
During a campaign event in Nam-gu, Busan, Chairman Han referred to President Yoon's national address, saying, "Increasing the number of doctors is a policy absolutely necessary for the health of the people. It is a policy that must be accomplished," while also expressing a flexible stance on the expansion of the quota by 2,000 students.
He stated, "Our People Power Party strongly requested the government to engage in broad dialogue and consultation, including the number of additional quotas, and to promptly reach a conclusion for the people," adding, "The majority of the public truly agrees that increasing the number of doctors is necessary. However, on the other hand, they also hope that the current situation will be resolved quickly."
He continued, "I hope the government will take action in the direction the people desire," and said, "As the ruling party, we will work together in that effort."
Earlier, President Yoon also explained in detail the reasons for the policy to increase medical school quotas by 2,000 and mentioned the possibility of adjustment. President Yoon said, "If the medical community insists on reducing the increase from 2,000, they should present a unified proposal to the government based on solid scientific evidence rather than resorting to collective action," adding, "If they bring a more reasonable and rational plan, we can discuss it anytime."
Through the national address on the same day, President Yoon reaffirmed his commitment to reform and presented positions that refute arguments for gradual increases in quotas, among other points.
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