Presidential Candidates' Second TV Debate
Discussing Approaches to Healthcare and Pension Reform
Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, apologized on the 23rd for the conflict between the government and the medical community caused by the increase in medical school admissions and stated that, if elected president, he would completely review the country's medical policies.
Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party, emphasized that he would pursue reforms aimed at revitalizing public, essential, and regional healthcare.
On the 23rd, candidates are taking a commemorative photo before the 2nd presidential candidate debate for the 21st presidential election hosted by the National Election Broadcasting Debate Commission at the KBS headquarters studio in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. From the left, Lee Jaemyung of the Democratic Party, Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party, Lee Junseok of the Reform New Party, and Kwon Youngguk of the Democratic Labor Party presidential candidates. 2025.5.23 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
During the second televised debate on social issues that day, Kim said, "To all the citizens, patients, and medical professionals who have suffered greatly due to this conflict between the government and the medical community, I sincerely apologize. You have truly endured so much hardship."
Kim explained, "There were difficulties because there was a lack of dialogue in many ways and insufficient measures were taken. From now on, medical policy will always be thoroughly re-examined from the ground up, with a focus on the realities on the ground, so that we can make a completely fresh start."
He continued, "To ensure that the voices of doctors, patients, and experts are fully heard, I will immediately establish a Future Healthcare Committee upon taking office to create a channel for dialogue," adding, "We will move forward by understanding each other and reaching agreements through dialogue."
Kim added, "We will re-examine not only the existing plan to increase medical school admissions, but also regional and essential healthcare, based on scientific evidence and social consensus."
Lee Jaemyung stressed, "Healthcare reform must be carried out in a way that ensures the survival of public healthcare, essential healthcare, and regional healthcare, so that the people can be healthy."
Lee Junseok, the candidate of the Reform New Party, criticized, "The absurd policy experienced during the Yoon Sukyeol administration was the increase in medical school admissions," and added, "At the time of the emergency decree, there was even a proclamation that residents who did not return would be punished."
Kwon Youngguk, the candidate of the Democratic Labor Party, said, "Doctors must also take the lead in reform," and proposed, "How about establishing a Presidential National Participatory Deliberation Committee to set principles for public hospitals, public medical schools, and a regional physician system, and to come up with solutions to the healthcare crisis within the first 100 days of taking office?"
All of the candidates agreed that adjustments were necessary regarding pension reform.
Kim Moonsoo stated, "There are problems with National Pension reform, and there is significant backlash from young people," adding, "I will immediately begin the second phase of structural reform." He further explained, "I will include many young people as representatives and gather their opinions as much as possible to carry out major reforms."
Lee Jaemyung said, "Regarding pension reform, I even tried to meet President Yoon Sukyeol directly to negotiate, and I agreed to accept the 44% proposal suggested by the People Power Party, but it was rejected."
Lee emphasized, "From now on, we must go beyond parametric reform and move toward structural reform. We need to adjust the basic pension, national pension, and retirement pension altogether."
Lee Junseok criticized, "Pension reform was fake reform that only changed the numbers without touching the structure," and added, "It was a backroom deal where the burden was shifted to the younger generation while the established generation took more."
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