Doctor-turned-elected officials Lee Ju-young and Han Ji-a: "Focus should not be on increasing numbers" VS "Expansion of quota is necessary"

Conflict Over Medical School Quota Increase

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Ju-young, a doctor-turned proportional representative-elect of the Reform New Party, and Han Ji-a, a proportional representative-elect of the People Power Party, clashed over the medical-policy conflict triggered by the government's plan to increase medical school quotas.

Lee, who worked as a professor in the pediatric emergency room at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, said on June 15 on KBS Radio's 'Jeon Jong-cheol's Jeongyeok Sisa' that the government's plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 should not focus solely on the increase, emphasizing that "the important thing is the entire essential medical package." He pointed out that "based on the decided (medical reform) direction, we need to predict future prospects and changes, but currently, there is no discussion at all about the direction in our country," and criticized that assuming the outcome first and then trying to solve it is the wrong order.

He added, "I am someone who has not been able to work due to the collapse of emergency medical services," and said, "I believe we need to convey the voices from the field well and persuade others to move forward together." Regarding former Korean Medical Association President Roh Hwan-gyu's remark that "the government cannot win against doctors," he explained, "Doctors have a rational understanding of patients and the healthcare system, so they believed the government's sudden decision would not work properly," and said, "This means that doctors' opinions are feasible and in the best interest of the public."

Meanwhile, Han, a former professor of rehabilitation medicine at Eulji University College of Medicine, expressed agreement with the government's stance on expanding medical school quotas. He said, "In a sharp conflict, the public holds the casting vote," and added, "The increase and flexibility that the public wants must go hand in hand." Regarding Lee's statement that "the direction should be set and the problems in essential medical areas should be fixed," Han clearly stated that he "does not agree." He rebutted, saying, "We tried to include as much of the essential medical package as possible," and "this part has already been announced."

He continued, "Increasing the number of doctors takes 10 years," and supported the government's view by saying, "It is right to start increasing doctors over 10 years and continue gradually." On how to reach a compromise with the medical community, he said, "We need to talk with professors and doctors who have a desperate desire to resolve the conflict," and added, "Dialogue comes first, and it is the role of the National Assembly to create that space. It is important for the National Assembly to serve as a neutral ground and provide a channel for dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties."