Presidential Office: "If Even One Medical Association Engages in Dialogue, the Ruling and Opposition Parliamentary Council Will Be Activated"

"Stop Ignoring Patients' Cries, Come to the Table for Dialogue"

Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, is giving a briefing on urgent medical situation issues at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 19th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 19th, the Presidential Office stated regarding the ruling and opposition parties, medical community, and government consultative body, which is facing difficulties due to the medical community's refusal to participate, that "the medical community should not postpone resolving the issue by setting preconditions such as a change in the government's attitude, but rather come to the dialogue table first, put their heads together, and discuss solutions as a duty to the people."

In particular, since the medical community consists of various groups such as residents, private practitioners, employed doctors, and medical students, the office expressed its position that if even one medical organization participates in the dialogue, the consultative body involving the ruling and opposition parties, medical community, and government will be promptly activated.

Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon and said, "I once again request that you do not ignore the cries of patients, which are the reason for doctors' existence, and come to the dialogue table."

Jang emphasized, "The government's consistent position that the door to dialogue is open remains unchanged," and added, "Patients are the people that doctors must protect."

He also reaffirmed that the government's existing stance on medical school quotas remains unchanged. Jang said, "Adjusting medical school quotas for the 2025 academic year, for which university admissions such as rolling admissions are currently underway, is realistically impossible." He continued, "Regarding quotas from the 2026 academic year onward, the government holds a flexible position," and explained, "If the medical community presents a reasonable plan based on scientific evidence, the government once again emphasizes its willingness to engage in discussions with an open mind."

Regarding the dinner meeting on the 24th where President Yoon Seok-yeol will meet with Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, and other party leadership in Yongsan to discuss current issues including medical reform, a Presidential Office official mentioned, "In forming the consultative body involving the ruling and opposition parties, medical community, and government, there is a significant difficulty in persuading and bringing the medical community to the dialogue table." The official added, "Nonetheless, the ruling party and government share the same intention to promptly activate the consultative body by inquiring about the willingness of even one medical organization and explaining the purpose."

Furthermore, when asked about plans to induce the medical community's participation in the consultative body, the official said, "We are cooperating with the party to make efforts so that they can come to the dialogue table quickly," and added, "That is the plan and the alternative."