Handonghun: "Consultative Body to Address Medical School Quota Issue Launches on 11th... Excluding Democratic Party"

Korea to Launch 'Ruling and Opposition Assembly' Consultative Body on 11th
Excluding Democratic Party Demanding Preconditions
"We Will Only Consider Public Health in Winter"

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, announced on the 4th that he will launch a 'ruling and opposition parliamentary consultative body' excluding the Democratic Party regarding the increase in medical school quotas.

On the same day, at the Supreme Council meeting held in the National Assembly main building, Representative Han stated, "We intend to launch the ruling and opposition parliamentary consultative body on the 11th." The consultative body is a kind of cooperative organization formed by the ruling party, opposition parties, the Medical Association, and the government to resolve issues related to the increase in medical school quotas.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

However, as the Democratic Party recently delayed the launch of the consultative body by demanding 'three major demands' related to the consultative body, Representative Han said he would launch the 'Yeoeui-jeong' consultative body excluding the Democratic Party. In September, the Democratic Party presented demands including ▲discussion without agenda restrictions ▲determination of the 2026 quota based on reasonable estimates ▲presidential apology and accountability of responsible persons, and drew a line stating that the launch of the consultative body would be difficult if these conditions were not accepted. In response, Representative Han said, "If they insist on non-participation by emphasizing preconditions unlike before, we intend to start with Yeoeui-jeong alone."

Representative Han added, "It does not seem that the Democratic Party's position will change in the short term," but emphasized, "Considering the lives and health of the people as winter approaches, it is difficult to delay the start. The medical community, government, and ruling party who agreed to participate in the launch all share the same view." He continued, "I hope the Democratic Party, which first mentioned the formation of the consultative body, will also participate," and said, "If they hesitate now, we welcome and request their participation at any time after the launch."