CBS Kim Hyun-jung News Show Appearance
"If the Medical System Collapses, Maintaining Power Will Be Difficult"
Amid ongoing disruptions in emergency room operations due to a medical staffing crisis that has lasted for half a year, former People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in shared his experience of being refused by 22 emergency rooms after a fall accident, warning that "if the medical system collapses, it will be difficult to maintain the government itself."
On the 22nd, Kim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "The most important issue for people's livelihood is the medical crisis," sharing his recent experience of being rejected by emergency rooms.
That day, Kim visited the studio with a bandage on his right forehead. When the host asked about it, Kim said, "Actually, I fell early in the morning and injured my forehead," adding, "A 119 firefighter came and tried to take the bloodied person to the emergency room, but even after calling 22 places, none accepted me."
Kim said, "I eventually went to a hospital I often visited and identified myself, but this time there was no doctor," adding, "Honestly, those who haven't experienced this don't know." He also mentioned that he had about an 8 cm stitch on his forehead that day.
Kim went on to say, "Our country introduced the National Health Insurance system in 1977, and for 50 years, the social medical system has been operating stably and efficiently," diagnosing that "however, due to the issue of increasing medical school quotas, a medical crisis has emerged, raising concerns about significant damage to the medical system." He warned, "If this collapses, it will be difficult to maintain the government itself."
Kim also criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol for pushing policies aggressively in the medical field without professional knowledge. He said, "Even President Chun Doo-hwan listened to expert opinions during his presidency," and questioned, "Does President Yoon Seok-yeol really have sufficient knowledge about medicine?"
Kim pointed out to the ruling party as well, saying, "The People Power Party itself should respond sensitively to such issues and bring about changes in government policies, but the party is failing to play that role." He also analyzed that actively resolving urgent livelihood issues like the medical crisis would naturally bring moderate voters along.
Meanwhile, as the collective departure of residents from university hospitals has exceeded six months and adverse factors such as the resurgence of COVID-19 overlap, emergency room disruptions are occurring in many places. Recently, a woman in her 60s who collapsed due to heat-related illness wandered around emergency rooms for an hour before ultimately passing away, and a pregnant woman close to delivery was unable to find an emergency room and gave birth in an ambulance. Concerns are spreading that an emergency medical crisis could occur during the Chuseok holiday next month, as most hospitals will be closed during that period.
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