Possibility of 2025 Staff Increase Revision... "Different Thoughts, So We Suggest Dialogue"
Some Raise Responsibility of Ministry of Health and Welfare Minister and Vice Minister... "What Can't Be Said?"
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, emphasized that no preconditions such as the impossibility of revising the 2025 medical school quota should be set regarding the formation of the ruling and opposition medical council, which is facing difficulties due to the medical community's non-participation. He stated that it is most important for the medical community to participate in the council and engage in dialogue.
On the 10th, Han met with reporters at the National Assembly and, when asked whether it is impossible to revise the decision to increase the medical school quota for 2025, he replied, "Isn't the purpose of meeting to have a dialogue because we have different positions? There is no such thing as a precondition that something cannot be done for dialogue." He added, "(The council) is structured so that the medical community can come in and express their opinions. The idea is to have sufficient dialogue there," and emphasized, "The medical community may have various thoughts, but I earnestly ask them to participate and have a conversation."
Regarding Kim Sang-hoon, the party's Policy Committee Chair, stating at a press briefing that the decision to increase the 2025 medical school quota is irreversible and that Han shares the same position, Han said, "That was just stating the existing position on that matter," and added, "I repeat, isn't the purpose of meeting to have a dialogue because we have different thoughts? Even though it is a difficult issue to resolve, isn't the point to gather and try to solve it?" While Kim and Floor Leader Chu Kyung-ho have already ruled out revisions due to the 2025 early admissions and backlash from students and parents, Han appears to have left the door open for dialogue.
In response to concerns that invalidating the 2025 medical school quota increase, as claimed by the medical community, could harm students and parents, Han said, "There are such thoughts, and the medical community also has various opinions," adding, "However, if they set preconditions on whether to join the hard-to-form ruling and opposition medical council, it would be difficult to accept given the sharply divided positions." He continued, "If we can't resolve it here, where else can we? My view is that preconditions should not be set to restrict the agenda and block the participation of those who can join."
When asked whether the council could discuss demands from some quarters to hold Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong and Second Vice Minister Park Min-su responsible for the medical crisis, Han replied, "Is there anything we can't talk about when we gather? Isn't it possible to have a dialogue?" Earlier, Policy Committee Chair Kim said regarding this issue, "However, public officials need to be careful with their words and actions during policy implementation so as not to discomfort stakeholders," and added, "Personnel matters of public officials are not essentially related to the launch of the council."
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