Party and Government "To Recommend President Yoon to Request Reconsideration of the Nursing Act"

"Legislative Autocracy Holding the Nation's Lives Hostage"

The People Power Party and the government have decided to officially recommend that President Yoon Seok-yeol exercise his right to request a reconsideration (veto) of the Nursing Act bill, which was passed in the National Assembly plenary session led by the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 14th.

Kang Min-guk, the chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, announced this decision at a briefing held after a high-level party-government meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence in Samcheong-dong that afternoon.

Chief Spokesperson Kang said, “The party and government agreed that the Nursing Act is a legislative overreach that holds the lives of the people hostage, and that the damage will fall entirely on the people,” adding, “Therefore, we decided to recommend to the President to request reconsideration of the Nursing Act bill, which the opposition unilaterally passed last month.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He criticized, “The party and government agreed that the Nursing Act bill severely undermines trust and cooperation among healthcare professionals, posing serious concerns about negative impacts on public health. They also agreed that if the Nursing Act is promulgated, it will clearly set a bad precedent of the government neglecting conflicts in the field of public welfare. The Nursing Act is a 'healthcare system collapse law' that exists in no other country, a 'law discriminating against nursing assistants,' and a 'new caste system law.'”

The People Power Party has argued that doctors and nursing assistants, among other professions excluded from the Nursing Act, strongly oppose it, increasing conflicts in the healthcare sector, and that the President should exercise the veto power.

The Nursing Act is scheduled to be submitted to the Cabinet meeting on the 16th. The deadline for promulgation or reconsideration request is the 19th.

The party and government agreed that legal grounds are not necessarily required to improve nurses’ working conditions, and that such improvements can be achieved through government policies. They decided to implement the 'Comprehensive Support Plan for Nursing Personnel' announced by the government on the 25th of last month.

They also expressed concerns that about 4 million care workers and social workers could lose their jobs if the Nursing Act is promulgated, and agreed to build a system suitable for Korea by gathering opinions from the public, field workers, and experts to ensure proper care.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the meeting, the party and government discussed measures to strengthen safety in school zones and eradicate drunk driving to prevent repeated accidents in children’s protection zones (school zones). They decided to introduce new road markings indicating the start and end points of protection zones and yellow crosswalks to help drivers easily recognize these zones, and to expand sidewalks where none currently exist.

To drastically reduce drunk driving, a special crackdown period will be operated until the 31st of this month. Random breath tests will be conducted at least twice a week, day and night. Customized crackdowns will also target vulnerable areas such as school zones and tourist spots. The prompt passage of the Road Traffic Act amendment, proposed by Representative Kim Ki-hyun to introduce alcohol ignition interlock devices effective in preventing recidivism, will also be pursued.

It is reported that the meeting also discussed the issue of electricity and gas price increases in a closed session. On the morning of the 15th, a party-government meeting will be held at the National Assembly to finalize the extent of the electricity and gas price hikes for the second quarter. Electricity rates are expected to increase by 7 to 8 won per kWh, and gas rates by around 5.47 won per megajoule (MJ), reflecting last year’s increase.

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