Yoon "Communicate More Closely with Medical and Various Social Sectors" VS Medical Community "Government Must Withdraw"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 25th instructed to "communicate more closely with various sectors of society, including the medical community." This was a reiteration of his willingness to engage in dialogue as conflicts have not been easily resolved after medical school professors nationwide demanded the cancellation of the expansion and allocation of medical school admissions quotas.

President Yoon made these remarks during a regular meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo at the Presidential Office, according to a written briefing by Kim Soo-kyung, spokesperson for the Presidential Office.

The day before, President Yoon told Prime Minister Han regarding the impending deadline for the suspension of licenses for medical residents, "Please seek flexible measures in consultation with the party." He also ordered, "Form a constructive consultative body with medical professionals and promote dialogue."

President Yoon’s call for close communication with the medical community and others on this day came because, despite the government’s proposal for dialogue with the medical sector, conflicts have not been resolved as groups centered around the Korean Association of Medical School Professors (Jeon-ui-gyo-hyeop) demand the complete withdrawal of the plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 students.

Jeon-ui-gyo-hyeop stated on the morning of the same day, "Intimidation of medical residents, students, and medical staff by high-ranking public officials will only worsen the situation, and the government must take responsible measures." They added, "This crisis cannot be resolved without the government withdrawing the admissions quota increase and allocation, and if the government is willing to withdraw, we are prepared to discuss all issues openly before the public."

Although the day before, Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, held a private meeting with Jeon-ui-gyo-hyeop, briefly opening a channel for dialogue, the statement from Jeon-ui-gyo-hyeop on this day indicated that the gap between the two sides’ views remains wide. Especially on the core issue of the "2,000 student increase," both sides remain at an impasse.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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The feared mass resignation of medical school professors nationwide is also becoming a reality. It is reported that professors at most of the 40 medical schools across the country have either started submitting resignation letters or have resolved to resign on this day.

Despite medical school professors announcing their plans to proceed with submitting resignation letters and reducing outpatient services as scheduled, President Yoon’s call for close communication is interpreted as reflecting his determination to continue steady dialogue with the medical community and avoid the worst-case scenario despite the conflict.

In fact, the government has begun practical work to form a 'medical-government consultative body,' centered on the Prime Minister’s Office. Prime Minister Han is reportedly scheduling meetings under the stance that he can meet with anyone from the medical community.

A senior official from the Presidential Office told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "We will continue to engage in dialogue with the medical community," adding, "We will take a flexible approach regarding mediation." This shows that President Yoon intends to maintain an open attitude and continue dialogue with the medical sector as he ordered close communication.

However, the government’s plan to promote medical reform centered on expanding medical school admissions remains unchanged, and it holds the position that the increase cannot be compromised.

A Presidential Office official said, "There is no change in the government’s position regarding the number of increased admissions," adding, "The Prime Minister’s Office is working to activate various channels of dialogue, and an emergency medical system is being maintained in response to collective actions by the medical community."

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