[Reporter's view] The National Assembly must restore

stability to the healthcare policy initiatives amid chaos due to the President's impeachment

On December 14, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, causing the government to be partially paralyzed.

 

The Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Special Presidential Committee on Healthcare Reform, and the National Bio Committee face significant disruptions in their ongoing policy initiatives.

 

On Monday, December 16, following the weekend and holiday period after the impeachment decision, Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyoo-hong convened an emergency executive meeting at 9 a.m.

 

Vice Minister Lee Ki-il, Second Vice Minister Park Minsoo, and department heads and directors of all key offices attended the meeting.

 

Minister Cho Kyoo-hong directed the preparation of emergency medical response plans, respiratory disease management measures, and emergency healthcare services for the upcoming Korean New Year holiday.

 

Cho also emphasized consistently and thoroughly implementing the recently announced regional·essential healthcare reinforcement strategies.

 

Cho has been steadfastly emphasizing the MOHW's duties under Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is currently serving as acting president.

 

Cho also faces unavoidable administrative disruptions.

 

Minister Cho is himself under investigation as a suspect by the prosecution.

 

The Special Presidential Committee on Healthcare Reform, led by Chairman Noh Yeon-hong, is facing increasing opposition from the medical community, creating uncertainty about its continued operation.

 

Similarly, the National Bio Committee, where President Yoon Suk Yeol serves as chairman, is at risk of having its launch derailed.

 

President Yoon Suk Yeol's duties were immediately suspended, and the Constitutional Court of Korea's impeachment trial was underway, resulting in political turmoil.

 

The ruling People Power Party's leader, Han Dong-hoon, resigned voluntarily.

 

In contrast, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, proposed the establishment of a National Stability Council for the ruling party.

 

However, this suggestion has yet to gain traction.

 

The impeachment vote has initiated the countdown for the Constitutional Court of Korea's ruling, with a final decision expected within 180 days and a new president to be elected within 60 days of the verdict.

 

As the presidential office, government ministries, affiliated organizations, and the entire political landscape face chaos, the healthcare, pharmaceutical, and biotech industries are also encountering damages.

 

The future of healthcare reforms, particularly those aimed at strengthening regional and essential medical services, is uncertain.

 

The momentum for expanding medical school quotas has diminished.

 

The pharmaceutical and biotech industries closely monitor the government's chaos, especially regarding how new regulatory·support policies, such as drug approvals·pricing, in 2025 will take shape.

 

The remaining task is for the government and political parties to collaborate in restoring stability to the healthcare·biotech renewal policies, which have been left in chaos and now show the sings of ongoing conflict.

 

Instead of focusing on battles between the opposing parties after the impeachment, the National Assembly must quickly secure a path forward for healthcare reforms critical to the nation's future.

 

Furthermore, the National Assembly must identify and promote policies that support the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, providing the necessary legislative and government administrative support.