Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-sik and the Democratic Party of Korea expressed a positive stance on the formation of a ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body proposed by Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, regarding the medical crisis.
Speaker Woo Won-sik is raising his hand to greet at the opening ceremony of the 22nd National Assembly and the 418th National Assembly (regular session) held at the National Assembly plenary session hall on the 2nd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
On the 6th, Speaker Woo stated in a press release that the consultative body should be formed immediately, saying, "The government has shifted to a proactive attitude toward resolving the issue. We welcome this together with the people." He also emphasized, "Solutions must be found on the ground. The ruling and opposition parties agree on the solutions. Let's meet immediately. Next week is also fine. Let's start social dialogue and first alleviate the public's anxiety. I will also participate."
Speaker Woo proposed the formation of a social dialogue body during the National Assembly opening ceremony on the 2nd, saying, "Let the government, ruling and opposition parties, medical stakeholders, patients, and victims gather in one place and seriously find solutions."
The Democratic Party also responded positively to Leader Han's proposal. Roh Jong-myeon, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, said, "Let's immediately activate the ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body. Don't even dream of diversion tactics or stalling," adding, "Let's put aside political calculations and focus solely on practical measures to prevent medical collapse and alleviate public anxiety."
However, the Democratic Party also insisted on the dismissal of the Minister and Vice Minister of Health and Welfare and an apology from President Yoon Suk-yeol. Spokesperson Roh stated, "As heads of the relevant ministry, the Minister and Vice Minister of Health and Welfare should be immediately dismissed," but added, "However, their dismissal should not be a scapegoating to cover President Yoon's responsibility." He further said, "The dismissal will have meaning only when President Yoon makes a public apology for his responsibility and withdraws the reckless plan to increase medical school admissions."
On the same day, after visiting the Korea Christian Federation in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Leader Han told reporters, "I propose to form and operate a ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body to alleviate public anxiety about the medical service gap and improve the essential regional medical system." The Presidential Office also responded positively to Leader Han's proposal. However, regarding the issue of increasing medical school admissions, they explained that if the medical community presents a reasonable plan, discussions will be held from a zero base.
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