Han Jeong-ae: "Medical School Expansion Will Not Be Forced Under the Party Name"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Han Jeong-ae, the newly appointed Policy Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, suggested a de facto reexamination from the ground up regarding the expansion of medical school quotas and the establishment of public health medical universities, stating that "we will open everything up and start discussions" in relation to the medical professionals' strike. She also expressed a positive stance on the formation of a parliamentary consultative body involving both ruling and opposition parties and the medical community, as proposed by the United Future Party.

In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the 1st, Chair Han said, "Bills regarding the expansion of medical school quotas and the establishment of public health medical universities were submitted by individual lawmakers, so we cannot force their withdrawal," adding, "However, we will not push for the forced passage of these bills under our party's name, nor will we take any steps to advance their processing."

She continued, "We will not forcibly push the bills through; instead, we will create a practical discussion body involving the medical community. If a much better proposal than the current ones is suggested and discussed, we told the medical community that we would pass the bill based on that proposal."

Chair Han also expressed willingness to participate in the parliamentary consultative body involving ruling and opposition parties and the medical community, proposed by Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the United Future Party. She said, "I also mentioned this to the Korean Intern Resident Association. Coincidentally, the opposition party also suggested forming a consultative body with both ruling and opposition parties," adding, "If there is anxiety about 'how can we just ignore it after COVID-19 stabilizes,' we will form the consultative body within the September regular session of the National Assembly."

Regarding the one-week postponement of the national medical licensing exam, Chair Han evaluated, "The postponement of the exam shows that the government is demonstrating sincerity in this dialogue and situation," and added, "I am thinking about how the government can make further promises, but nonetheless, if there are requests to the National Assembly, we always remain open."

On the medical professionals' demand to withdraw government policies and reexamine them from the ground up, she showed some discomfort, saying, "I am not sure if the term 'reexamination from the ground up' is that important. If the content is essentially the same, I am not sure that using that term to say the government or National Assembly has been 100% forced to yield carries much significance."

However, she added, "I said that if sufficient discussion and consultation take place in the (medical community) discussion body and a third proposal emerges, we will legislate and process it," and "Saying that all possibilities are open simply means that we are starting discussions from the beginning."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.