Yoon: "Flexible Handling of Resident Doctor License Suspension in Consultation with the Party"... Practical Dialogue Begins (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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On the 24th, President Yoon Suk-yeol instructed to "seek a flexible handling plan in consultation with the party" regarding the suspension of medical residents' licenses. In response, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo decided to meet with medical community representatives as soon as possible, drawing attention to whether the ‘medical-government conflict,’ which had escalated into a 'strong versus strong' standoff, can find an exit strategy.

In particular, with Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman and General Election Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, stepping in as a mediator in the medical-government conflict, there is an interpretation that the party-government relationship, which had once extended to a conflict between Yoon and Han, has become close again.

The presidential office spokesperson stated in a press release that day, "President Yoon asked Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to 'seek a flexible handling plan in consultation with the party.'"

Additionally, the presidential office conveyed that President Yoon told Prime Minister Han, "Please form a constructive consultative body with medical professionals and promote dialogue."

Amid nationwide medical school professors' announcement to submit collective resignation letters on the 25th, Chairman Han urgently met with the medical community that afternoon and took on a mediating role between the government and the medical sector. The meeting was arranged at the proposal of the National Medical School Professors' Association.

That afternoon, at Seoul Sinchon Severance Hospital, Chairman Han held a private meeting for about 50 minutes with the chairpersons of the National Medical School Professors' Association. After the meeting, he told reporters, "I received a request to mediate constructive dialogue between the government and the medical community to prevent situations where the public could suffer harm," adding, "The medical community also conveyed to me that they are prepared to engage in constructive dialogue with the government."

He continued, "As a responsible politician, I responded that I would play the necessary role," but said he would not disclose details of the various conversations.

People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon is answering questions from reporters after attending the meeting of the presidents of the National Medical School Professors Association held at Sinchon Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 24th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Later, the presidential office announced that Chairman Han requested the presidential office to handle the administrative suspension of licenses for medical residents leaving the medical field flexibly.

President Yoon's acceptance of this proposal came just two days after he and Chairman Han reconciled their conflict during the West Sea Defense Day ceremony on the 22nd. According to the presidential office, while Chairman Han was meeting with medical school professors, President Yoon was presiding over a meeting with his aides at the Yongsan presidential office and, upon receiving Chairman Han's request, immediately instructed Prime Minister Han.

Considering that until that morning, Sung Tae-yoon, the presidential office policy chief, appeared on KBS Sunday Diagnosis and said regarding the medical residents' 'license suspension' that "the government hopes to avoid administrative and judicial sanctions as much as possible," but also noted, "It is true that procedures cannot be bypassed according to law and principles," indicating no change in the principle-based response, Chairman Han's mediation is seen as playing a decisive role in opening the door to dialogue.

A presidential office official said, "Medical school professors nationwide, opposing the government's plan to increase medical school quotas, have resolved to submit collective resignation letters on the 25th, raising concerns about prolonged medical service gaps," adding, "Chairman Han stepped in to mediate to prevent the worst-case scenario, and President Yoon's instruction to handle license suspensions flexibly is part of seeking a positive solution."

As President Yoon urged constructive dialogue with the medical community, which is engaging in collective action opposing medical reform, the government is also showing swift movement.

Prime Minister Han decided to meet with medical community representatives as soon as possible that afternoon.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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The Prime Minister's Office announced that afternoon, "Regarding President Yoon's request to Prime Minister Han to prepare a flexible handling plan in consultation with the party and to establish a constructive dialogue body with the medical community, the government has begun practical work for dialogue with the medical sector."

They added, "We plan to arrange a meeting between Prime Minister Han and medical community representatives as soon as possible in consultation with the medical community."

A senior government official said, "Although the party-government and medical community have differing positions on medical reform, all agree on the need to promptly resolve the public's suffering and anxiety," and added, "The party and government will closely consult to achieve meaningful consensus through meetings between the government and the medical community."

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