Choo Kyung-ho: "Did Not Discuss Medical School Enrollment Increase Suspension with Han Dong-hoon... Agree with Government's Medical Reform Policy"

Choo Kyung-ho at the party meeting: "Ensure thorough legislation of the four major reform tasks"

Choo Kyung-ho, the floor leader of the People Power Party, commented on Han Dong-hoon, the party leader's proposal to postpone the increase in medical school quotas for the 2026 academic year, saying, "It seems the party leader organized his thoughts after discussions with various medical organizations and experts, but there was no in-depth prior consultation specifically about the postponement."

After a party meeting at the National Assembly on the morning of the same day, Choo told reporters, "Medical reform is an important task for the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. There is a significant disparity in medical services between regions, and due to a shortage of doctors, there are many issues with public medical services. I believe the public is showing full support for medical reform, including the increase in medical school quotas," he said.

Han recently proposed to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to postpone the increase in medical school quotas for the 2026 academic year, but the Presidential Office rejected the proposal. In response, Han posted on Facebook the day before, stating, "I will implement the increase announced in the 2025 admissions guidelines, but considering the unreasonable situation in 2026 where 7,500 students, including the increased quota, must be educated in one grade due to insufficient classes for the current 3,000 students in 2025, I proposed postponing the increase for one year as an alternative. If there is a better alternative, that would be preferable."

Regarding the conflict between the Presidential Office and Han over the increase in medical school quotas, Choo said, "I fully agree with the government's policy that medical reform must proceed without any wavering, and the party intends to cooperate as well. However, for specific issues and some problems that have arisen, we will continuously communicate with the government and the medical field to minimize public concerns and work together to support the effort."

Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, is leaving the meeting room after a party caucus held at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Regarding Han's convening of the Health and Welfare Committee members at the National Assembly that morning, Choo said, "I am not specifically aware of it, but if there are any necessary matters after the meeting, I will let you know." When asked if he supports Han's mediation proposal, he replied, "That is not a position I can give," adding, "I will listen to how the proposal was specifically made and assess the situation," avoiding a direct answer.

Earlier that morning at the party meeting, Choo emphasized the importance of ensuring that the four major reforms (pension, education, labor, and medical) are legislated during the regular National Assembly session, which will run for 100 days starting next month on the 1st. He also mentioned President Yoon Seok-yeol's national briefing, saying, "I expect President Yoon to express a strong will to push forward the four major reforms."

Regarding pension reform, he stressed, "We need to quickly establish a special committee on pension reform in September and accelerate efforts to complete a significant part of the pension reform during this regular session if possible." He also urged ruling party lawmakers to take a leading role in various livelihood and reform bills, including measures to prevent deepfake sex crimes, tax reform such as the abolition of financial investment income tax, and work-family childcare policies. Furthermore, he said, "The regular National Assembly session is a time when lawmakers' roles and status are important and prominent, and the National Assembly audit is a stage for the emergence of stars," urging his party members to "overwhelm the opposition with competence in government questioning, audits, budget and bill reviews."

Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, is leaving the meeting room after a party caucus held at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@