Handonghun: "I will focus only on the people, follow public sentiment, and solve problems"

"Medical Community Appreciates Participation in the Ruling and Opposition Parties and Government-Healthcare Council"

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, said on the 22nd, "I will look only to the people, follow public opinion, not avoid issues, and solve problems." This is Han's first official statement after meeting with President Yoon Seok-yeol the day before.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, Han visited Ganghwa Pungmul Market in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, and said, "I really like the name of our party, People Power Party. We will be a strength to the people." Amid prevailing assessments that Han did not gain much from the meeting with President Yoon, this is interpreted as his intention to continue adhering to his conviction to practice politics that meets the people's expectations.

When asked about the statement that "President Yoon's reaction was not good" during the meeting, Han replied briefly with "Thank you."

Regarding the decision by some in the medical community to participate in the ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body, he said, "The launch of the ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body is truly necessary," adding, "We have been in continuous discussions with many people in the medical community until recently. I am very grateful that the medical community has made the decision to participate in the consultative body."

He added, "Now that the weather is getting colder, it cannot be delayed any longer," and said, "We must proceed focusing solely on 'public health.' With that one goal, the ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body should be launched to solve the problems." Han expressed the position that the medical crisis, including the doctors' strike following the government's decision to expand medical school quotas, should be resolved through the launch of the consultative body. The launch had been delayed as the medical community was deliberating participation. With the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences and the Korean Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC) deciding to participate on this day, the ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body is expected to be launched soon.