President Yoon: "Illegal Collective Actions Violating Citizens' Right to Life Cannot Be Absolutely Allowed"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong Special Self-Governing City on the 6th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 6th addressed the doctors' collective action opposing the increase in medical school admissions, stating that it is "an act of shirking their own responsibilities and undermining the foundations of liberalism and the rule of law," and added, "We will respond strictly according to the law and principles to illegal collective actions that hold the lives of the people hostage."

In his opening remarks at the 11th Cabinet meeting held in Sejong City that day, President Yoon said in a firm tone, "Medical reform is an urgent task that cannot be postponed even for a moment," and "Illegal collective actions that infringe upon the people's right to life can never be tolerated."

President Yoon emphasized, "Our Constitution and laws impose very strong public duties on the state and doctors to 'protect the lives and health of the people,'" and added, "The state has the duty to protect public health under Article 36 of the Constitution, and doctors have the obligation to comply with the law to prevent harm to public health."

He continued, "The state grants licenses to doctors and strictly manages them according to the law to protect the lives and health of the people," explaining, "Therefore, doctors' freedoms and rights come with responsibilities." This is because the exclusive authority over medical practice is granted along with corresponding responsibilities.

President Yoon stressed, "The government's measures are not to suppress doctors' freedoms and human rights but to fulfill the state's duties under the Constitution and to protect the people's right to life," and said firmly, "The government will unite all ministries to respond to ensure that no dangerous incidents occur to the public."

He also announced plans to secure 128.5 billion won in contingency funds to ensure stable operation of emergency medical care, including the deployment of medical personnel for essential treatment, compensation for medical staff, and transfer and treatment appropriate to patients' conditions.

President Yoon added, "After today's Cabinet meeting, I plan to personally preside over the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting for responding to doctors' collective action,'" and said, "I will carefully inspect the situation on the ground and meticulously oversee the necessary measures."

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