"The Key Issue Is How to Restore Dialogue"
Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-sik stated regarding the medical conflict issue that "the National Assembly will take a more active role in addressing this problem."
On the 17th, Speaker Woo met with Kim Taek-woo, President of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), and Park Dan, Emergency Committee Chairperson of the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), at the National Assembly and made this announcement.
During the meeting, Speaker Woo said, "I understand that difficulties persist because the gap between the medical community and the government’s positions has not narrowed," adding, "It is truly regrettable that the situation has continued like this despite the government and ruling party, who bear unlimited responsibility for national governance, advocating that there is no problem that cannot be solved if they engage in dialogue with more flexibility."
He continued, "The important issue is how to restore dialogue between the parties involved," and added, "Starting with today’s meeting, I hope the National Assembly and the medical community will work together to achieve medical reform that meets the expectations of the public."
Park Joo-min, Chair of the Health and Welfare Committee, who was also present, said, "There have been reports that excess deaths during the medical service gap period reached 10,000," and added, "I hope we can discuss openly and find solutions."
Kim Taek-woo, President of the KMA, emphasized that "it was wrong for the government to push through an increase of 2,000 medical school quotas without considering educational conditions," and stressed the need to reconsider the medical school quota expansion plan.
He further pointed out, "Before deciding how many to admit in 2026, the Ministry of Education and the Health and Welfare Committee should consider how to educate the selected students," adding, "The government must acknowledge that under current conditions, educating new students is impossible. The supply and demand of doctors should be approached from a long-term perspective."
He also urged, "The essential medical policy package of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration restricts patients’ freedom of choice and only increases medical expenses," calling for "its abolition and a discussion from the starting point."
Park Dan, Emergency Committee Chairperson of KIRA, said, "Until now, the government has deflected responsibility by portraying residents as shameless individuals only seeking special privileges. Without improving the unreasonable working conditions, it has only repeatedly called for their return," and stated, "To protect the basic rights of medical personnel, including residents, the work commencement order must be abolished."
He added, "The past year has been a wasteful time, but now we must create real change," and requested, "I ask the National Assembly to actively step forward to guarantee the labor rights of residents."
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