"No Obstacles Should Hinder Residents' Return to the Field"
Warning Issued to National Investigation Headquarters Regarding Yoon's Arrest
The People Power Party officially requested the government to grant special exceptions for employment and military service to residents who suspended their training due to conflicts over medical reform, in order to facilitate their return. The party expressed its intention to revive the stalled trilateral discussions among the ruling party, opposition, and government.
On the 10th, Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, "The government and ruling party caused much concern and inconvenience to the public due to prolonged conflicts during the medical reform process," adding, "We will revive the trilateral talks among the ruling party, opposition, and government, which were suspended last year, to gather wisdom on medical reform tasks including the issue of medical school quotas."
Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party's policy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
He continued, "Since the return of residents to the field is urgent, the party and government will consult to remove institutional obstacles," and said, "First, a grace period is needed for the clause that prohibits residents who resigned in June last year from applying to the same department and hospital within one year after suspending training, if they want to apply for appointments in the first half of this year." He added, "Special exceptions are also necessary for the Military Service Act enforcement decree, which selects residents who suspend training as military personnel the following year," and emphasized, "These measures are essential for stabilizing the medical field, so we request the government's active review."
He said, "Our party will work closely with the government and medical organizations such as the Korean Medical Association to seek practical solutions," and stated, "No matter how chaotic the state affairs are, the government and ruling party will take responsibility and protect the lives and health of the people."
Floor leader Kwon also reiterated a warning that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the police should be cautious in executing the arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol. He said, "There are reports that the illegal second execution of the president's arrest warrant by the CIO is imminent," and warned, "I strongly caution Acting Commissioner Lee Ho-young of the National Police Agency and officials of the National Investigation Headquarters. If the National Investigation Headquarters recklessly cooperates with the CIO in executing the arrest warrant under the Democratic Party's instructions and a violent incident occurs causing even one person to be injured, the National Investigation Headquarters cannot avoid heavy responsibility."
Furthermore, Floor leader Kwon said, "The whole world is watching South Korea. I hope the National Investigation Headquarters will strive to maintain order befitting the nation's dignity," and urged, "The CIO should abandon the illegal second execution of the arrest warrant and transfer the entire case to the police."
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