[Interview] Kim Sang-hoon "Medical School Quotas in 2026 Should Be Discussed with an Open Mind... Party Needs to Mediate Medical Crisis"

Kim Sang-hoon, Chairman of the Policy Committee of the People Power Party Interview
"I don't think the 8.8 Real Estate Measures are a failure"
"Pension reform, the format or framework of discussion is not important"

Kim Sang-hoon, the Policy Committee Chair of the People Power Party, stated regarding the controversy over the expansion of medical school quotas that led to a medical crisis, "We need to negotiate with an open mind about the 2026 quotas." He also emphasized that the party could play a mediating role, considering the significant distrust between the medical community and the government.

In an interview with Asia Economy held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 26th, Kim expressed concern about the escalating crisis in the medical sector, saying, "We need to negotiate with an open mind about the 2026 medical school quotas." He added, "The 2025 quotas have essentially been publicly announced, so revisiting this issue would cause students preparing for entrance exams and their parents to lose trust in government policies. We should accept the 2025 quotas magnanimously, and if the medical community brings reasonable numbers for the 2026 quotas, it is important to show a willingness to sit at the table and negotiate." In other words, there should be an attitude of 'reconsideration is possible' regarding the 2026 medical school quotas.

Kim Sang-hoon, Chairman of the Policy Committee of the People Power Party, is giving an interview with Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Last week, there was a private meeting between Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, and Park Dan, the president of the Korean Intern Resident Association. Regarding this, Kim said, "Isn't it a situation where the medical community and the government cannot easily reach a conclusion or consensus?" He added, "If necessary, the party can play a role in mediation and coordination." However, he emphasized, "Prior communication is important in this process," and said, "It is crucial to have a process of dialogue and coordination with groups like the Resident Non-return Committee, which has not returned to the medical field. Both the government and the medical community harbor vague distrust, so I think the party can act as a mediator."

Regarding the recent soaring real estate prices in the metropolitan area, he said, "I do not consider the August 8 real estate supply measures a failure." He explained that if stable supply measures continue and anxiety disappears, real estate prices can be managed. However, for regions facing difficulties such as unsold properties, he said, "A 'dualized policy' is necessary." Earlier, on the 8th, the government announced housing supply measures, including lifting the Green Belt (GB, development-restricted areas) in Seoul and the metropolitan area to expand housing supply. Despite the government's measures, housing prices continue to rise. Kim said, "If the steady supply of housing continues as the government announced, the motivation to rush to buy apartments immediately will decrease." He added, "Real estate is fundamentally about psychology," and "It is very important for the government to provide stable confidence regarding housing supply."

However, he also indicated that policy directions should differ for local areas. Kim said, "The government's real estate policy should be dualized," adding, "While supply is a priority in the metropolitan area, non-metropolitan areas are struggling due to unsold properties, so measures such as tax reduction benefits for those who acquire unsold houses should be considered."

Regarding pension reform, he said, "The format and framework of discussions are not important," and emphasized that institutional improvement plans for retirement pensions and others should also be discussed alongside pension reform. In this process, he proposed integrating 'retirement pensions' with the National Pension for those who wish.

Kim Sang-hoon, Chairman of the Policy Committee of the People Power Party, is giving an interview with Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The following is a Q&A session.

The regular National Assembly session starts next week. Which bills do you hope to see passed?

Some bills scheduled for the August extraordinary session may be difficult to pass due to events like the Democratic Party's party convention and the confirmation hearing for Minister nominee Kim Moon-soo. Bills such as the 'Special Act on the Promotion of the Nuclear Power Industry,' which supports the nuclear power industry, the 'Power Grid Expansion Act,' necessary for the strategic production base of semiconductors?a major export product?and future growth bills must be passed. We should set aside issues unrelated to people's livelihoods, such as special investigations, impeachments, and hearings, and selectively pass bills that positively affect the general public's lives.

It seems that bills agreed upon between the ruling and opposition parties through coordination among policy committee chairs will be passed in the August extraordinary session. Will the negotiation channel among policy committee chairs be maintained in the regular session?

It depends on the situation, but if a consensus for bipartisan passage is established, it is desirable for standing committees to discuss and actively process bills autonomously without the policy committee chairs saying, 'Let's do this bill or that bill.' The policy committee chairs met to open the way, but if this becomes regular, the authority of standing committees may diminish, and policy committee chairs might overstep. It would be better if the floor leaders and members autonomously discuss matters.

As the Policy Committee Chair, you inevitably have to coordinate with members of relevant standing committees, the government, and the opposition. What is the biggest principle in setting policy directions?

Since we are the ruling party, prior communication with the government is most important. It is difficult to implement policies without government consultation. When there are differences within the party, the process of compromise is also important. It is crucial to accept reasonable opinions and persuade others if the decided direction is correct. The final hurdle is bipartisan consensus. Since the 22nd National Assembly began, there has not been a single bill passed by bipartisan agreement, but now, although the number of bills is not large, there is a consensus to discuss and pass bills without disagreement. I think this is an important achievement of the August extraordinary session.

Kim Sang-hoon, Chairman of the Policy Committee of the People Power Party, is giving an interview with Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Leader Han expressed willingness to pass a 'Livelihood Fast Track' bill at the bipartisan leaders' meeting. How will this be pursued?

Citizens must have felt uncomfortable seeing bills unrelated to livelihoods being unilaterally submitted, passed, and then vetoed by the president's re-request for reconsideration, leading to their repeal. The Livelihood bills system is designed to allow quick approval through compromise and consultation, even if there are some disagreements. Political parties now aim to show that they care about citizens' lives rather than just party interests.

The Nurse Act, which was to be processed in August, was not discussed in the subcommittee. Does this lower the possibility of passing it in the August extraordinary session?

After reviewing the bill's deliberation contents, there is no significant disagreement between the ruling and opposition parties. The bill was postponed because consensus was not formed due to the bill's structure and some clauses. The issue of abolishing educational restrictions for nursing assistants is not the essence of the law. This matter can be discussed later, and now, since the medical gap is prolonged, focusing on establishing surgical support nurses and clinical specialist nurses should not cause major problems between the parties. The Welfare Committee floor leader has expressed willingness to negotiate further, so even if no agreement is reached in the August session, there should be no problem passing it in the September regular session.

Leader Han seems to emphasize livelihood issues such as infertility and youth problems rather than making statements that appeal to his support base.

One strength I found in Leader Han is that he reads the paradigm of social structural changes well. He has been continuously traveling without a vacation, meeting various sectors and listening to many suggestions, and he has a strong will to reflect these issues in legislation and policy without missing the timing.

President Yoon Seok-yeol is expected to propose a pension reform plan including structural reforms. The National Assembly shows disagreements over the format of pension reform discussions. How do you think this should be resolved?

We should not be bound by format and procedure. The Democratic Party insists on a pension subcommittee, and the ruling party on a special committee, but the format is not important. However, I wonder if the opposition needs to limit the review to parametric reform. Currently, the birth rate is too low, and the population is declining, so the MZ generation may worry about pension depletion. Structural reform is needed to significantly extend the pension depletion period. It is necessary not only to do parametric reform but also to consider integrating basic pensions and retirement pensions with the National Pension.

We might also consider a plan where those receiving retirement pensions participate in the pension system to receive stable payments over the long term. Looking at retirement pensions alone, the actual amount received is not much. It only supplements old age and cannot be relied upon. We could consider including only those who wish to participate in the pension fund to increase the overall volume and share of pensions. This would allow for more stable and higher payments. These are matters the government should consider.