<기사제목>Presidential Office: "We Will Honor the People's Will on Shortcomings... Medical Reform Will Be Pursued Without Wavering" (Comprehensive)

"Overcoming the Four Major Reforms and Low Birthrate to Move Toward the Future"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 15th at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Presidential Office stated regarding the results of the October 16 by-elections, "We will accept the will of the people and make changes where there are shortcomings."

A Presidential Office official emphasized on the morning of the 17th through a press release, "Even if there are difficulties, we will steadfastly pursue the four major reforms including medical reform and measures to overcome low birth rates, moving forward into the future."

Regarding the 'shortcomings,' the official elaborated, "It means we will make greater efforts on the shortcomings identified through the election mandate." Accordingly, it is expected that the installation of the 'Second Secretariat' related to First Lady Kim Geon-hee, currently underway at the Presidential Office, will accelerate.

Until the previous day, the Presidential Office had not issued an official stance on the election results, but on the morning of this day, it reiterated its intention to accept the will of the people regarding shortcomings and its commitment to advancing the four major reforms.

In the by-elections held the previous day, the People Power Party won the Busan Geumjeong District Mayor by-election, which had become a fierce battleground between the ruling and opposition parties, while the Democratic Party won the Jeonnam Yeonggwang County Mayor re-election, which saw a three-way race among opposition parties.

In the Incheon Ganghwa County Mayor by-election and the Jeonnam Gokseong County Mayor re-election, the People Power Party and the Democratic Party each secured victories, maintaining their respective strongholds.

In the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education by-election, held following the guilty verdict of progressive camp candidate Cho Hee-yeon, progressive-leaning candidate Jeong Geun-sik won.

While the Presidential Office expressed relief over the election results that preserved their strongholds, it is closely monitoring the rapidly spreading political broker Myung Tae-gyun incident. Amid calls from the opposition and even People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon urging First Lady Kim to refrain from activities, attention is focused on the upcoming meeting between President Yoon and Leader Han early next week.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, Leader Han said, "First Lady Kim should suspend external activities as promised during the presidential election," adding, "We must resolve the public's worries and concerns this time." He also reiterated calls for personnel reshuffling within the Presidential Office.

Currently, the Presidential Office has begun preparations for the scheduled meeting with Leader Han's side now that the elections are over. Discussions are underway regarding the format, location, and agenda of the meeting, but given the sharp differences between both sides concerning First Lady Kim and medical reform, significant difficulties are anticipated.