"President Yoon Seok-yeol Should Hold Ministers and Vice Ministers Accountable and Apologize"
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has been fiercely criticizing the ongoing medical crisis, pointing out the significant gap between the government's perception and reality.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
On the 6th, during the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee played a video related to emergency room refusals, known as the 'bbaengbbaengi' (ambulance roulette), saying, "I played this so they could see it in Yongsan." He added, "This is a video that the Minister and Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, as well as the Prime Minister, especially need to watch. Do these people not watch the news?" He emphasized, "Not only do all citizens know about it, but they also feel their lives are threatened. Yet the President, the Prime Minister, the Minister, the Vice Minister, and their aides are unaware of this dire situation."
He also harshly criticized the recent remarks made by Park Min-su, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, which sparked controversy. On the 4th, Park stated on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "the fact that a person can call and inquire themselves means the condition is mild." Lee responded, "If they say it's mild because the person can call themselves, then if they cannot call, aren't they basically dead?" He likened it to a medieval witch hunt, saying, "In the Middle Ages, they would throw someone into water; if they floated, they were a witch, if they sank, they were human. Either way, the outcome was death."
Lee pressured President Yoon Seok-youl to reprimand the Minister and Vice Minister of Health and Welfare and to issue a direct apology. He said, "Protecting life and safety is the nation's foremost responsibility, but this responsibility is not being fulfilled," adding, "Although they have not taken responsibility, they must apologize and make efforts to do so."
He further pointed out, "The medical crisis has now completely reversed its purpose and means," noting, "While the need and legitimacy of medical reform were clear, the process and management have been so poor that even the purpose is being undermined." He stressed, "It is time to quickly open the door and engage in dialogue to create fundamental solutions."
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