Democratic Party’s Floor Countermeasures Meeting on the 22nd
Jin Sungjoon: “The Medical Community Is Not Free from Responsibility”
Jin Sungjoon, Policy Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, held the current government responsible for the medical crisis triggered by the policy to increase medical school admissions quotas. He also addressed the medical community, stating that they cannot be exempt from responsibility, and urged for the normalization of medical education and the prompt return of medical residents.
At the Democratic Party’s floor countermeasures meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on the 22nd, Jin criticized the Ministry of Education’s policy to freeze medical school admissions, saying, “After throwing the entire country into chaos for the past year, they have simply reversed the decision as if nothing happened. There must be a thorough investigation into this unilateral and hasty push, and legal and political accountability must be pursued.”
Previously, the Ministry of Education effectively scrapped its policy to increase the medical school quota by 2,000, announcing that next year’s admissions would be frozen at 3,058 students.
Jin pointed out, “Over the past year, our healthcare system has collapsed, and the damage has fallen squarely on the people. Emergency room transfers have become routine, and we have lost countless lives that could have been saved.”
He further criticized, “More than 3 trillion won in taxpayers’ money has been poured into this rushed and reckless policy. Now, with no apology, no countermeasures, and no accountability for this disaster, they simply want to reset the increase in medical school admissions to square one.”
Jin also addressed the medical community, stating, “They cannot claim to be without responsibility.” He noted, “While the government called for the return of medical students to their educational sites after announcing the freeze, the medical community instead declared a boycott of classes and ongoing protests at a rally last weekend. They have also demanded a halt to the very pursuit of medical reform.”
Jin added, “The so-called essential medical care package, which the medical community is calling to abolish, actually includes long-standing demands from the medical sector, such as increased fees and reduced litigation burdens. Yet, by demanding the abolition of even these measures and continuing to boycott classes and protest, it is questionable whether any member of the public will sympathize or agree.”
He continued, “The public is well aware of the need for medical reform. The medical community must step back from unilateral protest, present its position on medical reform plans, and participate in social discussions.”
In conclusion, Jin emphasized, “To prevent further confusion and damage and to restore normalcy to the healthcare system, I urge the normalization of medical education and the prompt return of medical residents. I hope the medical community will listen to the earnest voices of the people.”
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