'Ruling and Opposition Parties' Council' Patient Groups Participate... Korean Prime Minister "If Necessary"

Press Corps Meeting... Urging Participation of Opposition Party and Medical Community

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo responded to criticism that the voices of patient groups are not reflected in the ruling-opposition-medical-government consultative body (hereinafter referred to as the consultative body) by stating, "Whether to include patients in the consultative body is an issue that should be discussed if necessary." This has been interpreted as an open and positive stance toward the participation of patient groups.

At a press briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the 13th, Prime Minister Han said, "I am deeply sorry and regretful for causing various hardships to patients during the process of promoting medical reform." However, he added, "Since the government is seen as representing a kind of public interest in the consultative body, I believe it is right for us to listen carefully to the difficulties expressed by patients and discuss them."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is answering questions during a meeting with the press corps held at the Government Seoul Office Annex on the morning of the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

Patient groups have long insisted that "medical reform without patients is impossible" and have called for the formation of a consultative body including ruling party, opposition party, patients, medical professionals, and the government. Prime Minister Han appears to have left the possibility of this open.

The consultative body, formed to address medical reform tasks and resolve conflicts between the medical community and the government, began its activities on the 11th with seats for the opposition party and resident doctors' groups left vacant. Prime Minister Han said, "Since it is a consultative body, both the government and the ruling party share the view that they want the opposition party and the medical community to participate more," repeatedly urging their participation.

Regarding the impeachment of former Korean Medical Association President Lim Hyun-taek, who had been at odds with the government, Prime Minister Han declined to comment specifically but said about the newly formed emergency committee, "Honest dialogue with the medical community is necessary," adding, "I think it would be good to have various channels for dialogue."

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