Legislative Debate Canceled... Democratic Party Demands Resignation of Education and Welfare Ministers

"Must Take Responsibility for Policy Failure... Crisis in Education Field"

Members of the Democratic Party belonging to the National Assembly's Education Committee and Health and Welfare Committee have called for the resignation of Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, and Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare. They held the government responsible for the failure of the public debate between the medical community and the government, which the National Assembly had been promoting since last week, due to the government's absence.

Kim Young-ho, Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee, and Park Joo-min, Chairman of the Education Committee, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 23rd, stating, "The legislative debate hosted by the National Assembly today was ultimately canceled." They added, "This was because Minister Lee and Minister Cho refused to attend. As chairmen of the National Assembly's Education and Health and Welfare Committees, we express deep regret and anger toward such an irresponsible government."

They continued, "On December 19th, the two of us visited the Korean Medical Association and held a meeting with the medical community, reaching a consensus that the prolonged medical crisis must be resolved," emphasizing, "To this end, we agreed that a debate to discuss measures to normalize medical school education should be held promptly."

They said, "The Ministry of Education initially agreed but reversed its position over the weekend," adding, "Despite several attempts to persuade them, the government ultimately opposed it. This is the second time, following the joint hearing in August, that the government has rejected proposals from the National Assembly and the medical community."

They pointed out, "The regular admissions for universities in 2025 are just a week away," and criticized, "Ultimately, due to a government that believes 'endurance means victory' and one that has made no effort, the worst-case scenario of 7,500 students per grade receiving classes is on the verge of becoming a reality."

Furthermore, they stated, "Those who have ignored the field must take responsibility for policy failures. The medical education field is already in crisis," and added, "The side effects caused by hasty policies have become a burden that students, professors, and medical staff remaining in the medical field must bear alone."