Park Dan "Will Occasionally Communicate with the Democratic Party"
On the 26th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, reportedly met with Park Dan, emergency committee chairman of the Korean Intern Resident Association, to persuade him to participate in the ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body.
On the same day, Lee held a private meeting with Chairman Park at an undisclosed location in Seoul and requested cooperation to resolve the medical gap issue triggered by the increase in medical school quotas.
Cho Seung-rae, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a written briefing that Lee met with Chairman Park for about an hour and a half, and that Chairman Park clearly maintained his position that the condition for participation is the complete cancellation of the 2025 medical school quota increase.
Lee also expressed agreement that all possibilities regarding the 2025 medical school quota should be kept open for discussion.
He further mentioned the need for a progressive change in the government’s attitude as public inconvenience due to the medical gap continues. Senior spokesperson Cho explained, "Both parties agreed to continue communication to find solutions to the medical crisis."
After the meeting, Chairman Park posted on Facebook, "I discussed not only the current situation with Leader Lee but also the overall medical issues in the Republic of Korea," adding, "I plan to communicate frequently with the Democratic Party going forward."
He continued, "I conveyed what the resigned interns and residents demand, such as improved working conditions and the abolition of work commencement orders, how firm their stance is, and what problems may arise in the future."
He also reiterated the position that interns and residents will not return unless the 2025 medical school quota increase is withdrawn.
Chairman Park further demanded, "Next spring, interns and students will not return either. Educating 7,500 students after the quota increase is impossible. The 2025 quota increase must be withdrawn."
Besides Leader Lee, Park Joo-min, chairman of the Democratic Party’s Medical Crisis Countermeasure Special Committee, and Kang Cheong-hee, chairman of the Health and Medical Special Committee, also attended the meeting.
Although the Korean Medical Association and the Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Medical Schools recently announced their intention to participate in the ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body, no additional participation from the medical community has emerged.
Therefore, Lee’s meeting with Chairman Park is interpreted as a willingness to take a leading role in the launch of the consultative body.
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