Yoon "Communicate More Closely with the Medical Community... Temporarily Suspend Resident License Suspension" (Comprehensive)

[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.

Additionally, the government decided to temporarily suspend the license suspension penalty initially scheduled for the 26th against residents who have not returned to hospitals.

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

A Presidential Office official said, "It is difficult to impose license suspension penalties while trying to proceed with dialogue," adding, "The suspension of licenses for residents is temporarily on hold, not indefinitely postponed."

The day before, President Yoon told Prime Minister Han to "seek flexible handling measures in consultation with the party" concerning the approaching deadline for residents' license suspension. He also ordered to "form a constructive consultative body with medical professionals and promote dialogue."

President Yoon's call for closer 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 the Korea Association of Medical School Professors (Jeon-ui-gyo-hyeop) and others demand the complete withdrawal of the plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 students.

Jeon-ui-gyo-hyeop stated in the morning, "Intimidation of medical staff including residents and students by high-ranking public officials will worsen the situation, and responsible government measures must be taken." They added, "This crisis cannot be resolved without the government's withdrawal of the admissions quota and allocation, and if the government is willing to withdraw, we are prepared to discuss all issues in front of 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, seemingly 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 key issue of the "2,000 student increase," both sides remain at an impasse.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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The feared collective resignation of medical school professors nationwide is also becoming a reality. It is reported that professors at most of the 40 medical schools nationwide 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 care as scheduled, President Yoon's call for close communication is interpreted as reflecting his determination to continue steady dialogue with the medical community to 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.

Especially since it is practically difficult to continue dialogue with the license suspension deadline for residents approaching, the government has decided to temporarily suspend the license suspension penalty.

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 approach the mediation part flexibly." This means that President Yoon intends to maintain an open attitude and continue dialogue with the medical community as he ordered close communication.

However, the government maintains its position that the plan to promote medical reform centered on expanding medical school admissions remains unchanged and that the increase in admissions is non-negotiable.

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 for dialogue and is maintaining an emergency medical system in response to collective actions by the medical community."

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