Ruling and Opposition Parties' Legislative Council "In Talks with Medical Sector to Outline This Week"

Ruling Party: "Meeting with Residents Across the Board"

On the 24th, the People Power Party stated regarding the formation of a ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body to resolve the medical vacuum, "The medical community is still in dialogue about the formation of the consultative body, and we expect an outline to emerge by the end of this week."

Han Jia, the chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, responded this way when asked about any progress related to the formation of the consultative body during a meeting with reporters at the National Assembly communication office in the afternoon.

When a reporter asked, "Is it premature to include groups that said so or those that participated in the previous medical organizations' press conference in the consultative body?" Chief Spokesperson Han answered, "I think an outline will emerge to some extent, including those parts."

Earlier, eight organizations including the Korean Association of Medical School Professors, the Emergency Committee of Medical School Professors, and the Korean Medical Association's Delegate Council announced their intention not to participate on the 13th, stating, "It is premature to participate in the consultative body at a time when there is no change in the government's attitude."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding a reporter's question about whether they are in dialogue with residents, Chief Spokesperson Han explained, "We are in dialogue," adding, "There are currently about 13,000 residents, and we are meeting with them broadly. We are talking with organizations that communicate with residents who have resigned."

He clearly opposed the Democratic Party of Korea's proposal to form a consultative body excluding the government but including the ruling party, opposition, and medical community. In a statement, Chief Spokesperson Han criticized, "The Democratic Party has proposed forming a consultative body excluding the government," and said, "It is worrisome that they have chosen a political approach."

He continued, "Excluding (passing over) the government is an idea that does not help at all in resolving the medical vacuum," emphasizing, "Resolving the medical vacuum requires the combined efforts of the ruling party, opposition, medical community, and government."