Despite Chuseok Passed, Ruling and Opposition Parties and Government-Industry Council Still Stalled... Korea Persuades Two-Track Government-Industry Approach

As Time Passes, Chances of Compromise Decrease
Han Dong-hoon Meets Medical Community for Repeated Persuasion
Likely to Propose Again at President Yoon's Dinner on the 24th

Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, communicated with the medical community throughout the Chuseok holiday, but since each party involved in the ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body maintains different positions, the launch of the consultative body seems unlikely. Han, who had taken a political gamble on the launch of the ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body, plans to repeatedly persuade the medical community and the government.

A People Power Party official told Asia Economy on the 19th, "Although the launch of the ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body during the Chuseok holiday failed, (Han) is planning schedules to meet with the medical community regardless of whether it is in private or public." The implication is that as time passes, the possibility of compromise decreases, and the public’s suffering could become severe, making the launch of the consultative body urgent.

First, the cooperative atmosphere between the ruling and opposition parties, which had experienced a thaw through joint responses to livelihood bills and the medical crisis, is expected to deteriorate going forward. The opposition party plans to push through contentious bills such as the Local Currency Act, a special prosecutor for Kim Geon-hee, and the special prosecutor law for Chae Sang-byeong at the plenary session on the same day, while the ruling party opposes these. Additionally, the national audit will begin next month, and it is anticipated that the ruling and opposition parties will clash over various issues throughout the month. Disagreements between the ruling party and the government also remain a problem to be resolved. Earlier, on the 12th, Han held a high-level party-government meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and other government officials, but opinions diverged over whether to put the postponement of the increase in medical school quotas for the 2025 academic year on the negotiation table.

The medical community remains steadfast. Han met with representatives of medical organizations and medical community officials on the 15th and 17th, during the Chuseok holiday and on Chuseok day itself, urging them to participate in the consultative body, but it is reported that he has not yet received a definite answer. Previously, on the 13th, eight organizations including the Korean Association of Medical School Professors, the Emergency Committee of Medical School Professors, and the Korean Medical Association’s General Assembly declared their intention not to participate, stating that "participation in the consultative body is premature at a time when the government’s attitude has not changed."

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, is visiting Jongno Fire Station in Seoul on the afternoon of the 16th, a day before Chuseok, to encourage the firefighters.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Moreover, Park Dan, the emergency committee chairman of the Korean Intern Resident Association, whom Han had made efforts to meet immediately after taking office, claimed the day before that "Han continuously refused to meet with interns and residents." In response, the People Power Party stated, "We tried to communicate in various ways but did not receive a response from Chairman Park," and added that they are meeting separately with resigned interns and residents.

Han plans to continue a two-track persuasion approach to secure the medical community’s participation in the consultative body and to bring about a progressive change in the government’s stance. Although the critical phase of the medical crisis during the Chuseok holiday has passed due to increased holiday medical services and a reduction in emergency room visits caused by higher out-of-pocket expenses for mild and non-emergency patients, fundamental problems such as securing essential medical personnel remain unresolved, leading to forecasts that public sentiment toward the ruling party and government will grow colder. Han is expected to request a progressive decision on this issue at a dinner meeting hosted by President Yoon Seok-youl on the 24th.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is shaking hands with Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, who came to see him off as he departs from Seongnam Seoul Airport on the 19th for an official visit to the Czech Republic.
[Image source=Yonhap News]