Presidential Office: "Discussion Will Proceed If No Proposal Reflecting Medical Community's Opinions Is Presented"... Positive Signs for Dialogue Opening

Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs, on Yoon-Jeongongui Meeting
"Spent More Time Than a Summit"
Showing Government's Genuine Willingness for Dialogue

Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs to the President Photo by Yonhap News

The Presidential Office stated on the 8th, "If the medical community presents a proposal based on reasonable grounds and consensus, discussion will be possible." This comes after a meeting on the 4th between President Yoon and Park Dan, the emergency committee chair of the Korean Intern Resident Association (Daejeonhyeop), marking a positive sign that the dialogue channel has been opened.

Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' that morning and said, "President Yoon had a meeting that lasted especially 2 hours and 20 minutes." Jang added, "In a way, he devoted much more time than a typical summit meeting to listen attentively, indirectly showing the government's sincere willingness to engage in dialogue," explaining that the president focused more on listening than speaking during this meeting.

Jang further explained, "The significance of this meeting was not to solve issues or persuade others but to listen carefully to understand the mindset and reasons behind their stance." He continued, "If the medical community gathers opinions on the scale of medical school expansion and brings them to the government, we hold a flexible position," emphasizing, "We maintain the stance that discussions are possible without being fixated on numbers."

Regarding Park's post-meeting social media message stating, "There is no future for Korean medicine," Jang said, "It is somewhat disappointing, but we do not interpret that single statement as a breakdown in dialogue or a negative outlook." He added, "Rome wasn't built in a day," and "Since we have had meaningful conversations and listened, we remain committed to continuing the dialogue." On the medical community's plan, led by the Korean Medical Association's emergency committee, to hold a joint press conference after the general election, he assessed, "There seems to be progress in efforts to unify opinions, and such efforts are positive for now."

However, the Presidential Office expressed difficulty in accepting the complete repeal of the essential medical policy package and the full abolition of the work commencement order, which are among the seven demands presented by Daejeonhyeop to the government. Jang said, "Frankly, some demands are somewhat irrational and excessive," clarifying, "We are not rejecting all seven demands; we sympathize with and are pursuing those that are reasonable and necessary."

Regarding remarks from a Presidential Office official that if the medical community fails to present a unified proposal and interns and residents do not return to the dialogue table, law enforcement actions such as license suspension may be inevitable, Jang commented, "That seemed to be said during a somewhat frustrating phase," and added, "We do not intend to unilaterally adhere only to legal principles." He further stated, "The government actually wants to avoid a situation where large-scale disciplinary actions are issued all at once," and "We hope such a situation does not arise."

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