Ruling and Opposition Parties' Legislative Council Launch Before Chuseok Finally Fails... Medical Sector 'No-Show'

Eight Organizations Including Uijeop Say "Too Early to Join Consultative Body"
Some Groups That Considered Participation Also Change Stance

The launch of the ruling and opposition parties and government consultation body before Chuseok, which was being promoted by the political circle, has been canceled.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 13th, the People Power Party made every effort to persuade the medical community to form the consultation body, but major medical organizations such as the Korea Medical Association declared that they could not participate without a change in the government's attitude, setting up a confrontation.

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, said to reporters after finishing volunteer work at Sangnok Regional Child Welfare Complex in Gwanak-gu on the same day, "I am directly communicating with major medical organizations," adding, "I will continue to persuade them and hope to make a good decision to start resolving this situation together."

He then persuaded the medical community, saying, "The government is not saying that they will limit the agenda themselves. Since I am the one proposing it, you just need to listen to me."

Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader, said at a National Assembly press briefing, "The government and the party will continue to make efforts to request the participation of the medical community through various channels," and added, "I hope that instead of ignoring the dialogue itself, the ruling and opposition parties and the government will come together to find a good solution."

Han Ji-a, chief spokesperson, met with reporters at the National Assembly and said, "The sooner the dialogue time, the better, but we will make steady efforts without time limits," adding, "At this point, it seems that the launch of the consultation body will be after Chuseok."

The People Power Party proposed the formation of the ruling and opposition parties and government consultation body to the opposition party and the medical community on the 6th and began persuasion, but the formation of the consultation body is facing repeated difficulties as the conflict between the government and the medical community remains unresolved.

The government maintains its position that discussions on the 2025 medical school quota are not possible, but the medical community opposed this by demanding the halt of the forced increase of medical school quotas in 2025 and the investigation related to the resignation of residents.

On the same day, eight medical organizations including the Korea Medical Association and the Korean Association of Medical School Professors (Jeon-ui-gyo-hyeop) held a briefing and officially announced their position that participation in the consultation body is premature. After Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said during the government questioning session the day before that "residents have the primary responsibility," some organizations such as the Korean Association of Medical School Professors (Jeon-ui-gyo-hyeop) and the Association of Medical Colleges and Medical Schools, which were initially positive about participating in the consultation body, reportedly changed their stance due to the government's hardline attitude.