"Seek social consensus, shift away from 2,000 quota"

Lee Jae-myung urges President

“Let’s establish a consultative body, as suggested by the Democratic Party of Korea, to promote public health”

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (chairman of the standing joint election committee).

"How can we persuade and negotiate with the medical community after President Yoon Suk Yeol forced university assignments by pushing through with an excessive fixation on increasing the quota to 2,000?

 

It's time to shift away from this fixation and instead establish a committee proposed by the Democratic Party to facilitate social discussion and reach agreements." On the 27th, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (chairman of the standing joint election committee), proposed operating a consultative body to seek social consensus by questioning President Yoon Suk Yeol and the ruling party about increasing the medical school quota by 2,000 students.

 

Lee pointed out that the fixation of the president and the ruling party with increasing the medical school quota to 2,000 has led to a medical crisis, resulting in hospital doctors overworking and actual harm to patients.

 

During a field press conference at Changwon-gu in Cheongju, Lee said, "There was a similar rumor a month or two ago." He added, "During the Moon Jae-in administration, the Democratic Party government planned to increase the number of doctors by 400 annually for ten years.

 

It was not completely satisfactory, but it was believed to be able to resolve a significant portion of the problem.

 

But, it was postponed due to COVID-19." "However, the Yoon Suk Yeol government's decision to increase the medical school admission quota by five times, to a total of 2000, appears to be an attempt to provoke and forcefully suppress the opposition from the medical community.

 

There was speculation that someone might emerge suddenly and try to create an illusion of resolution, similar to the June 29 Declaration," Lee stated.

 

"During the Democratic Party's highest committee meeting, I raised concerns multiple times and pointed out that we shouldn't approach this strategically," Lee said.

 

Adding, "However, it feels like the situation is becoming similar to gossip.

 

Such critical policy matters should be handled by ministers, vice ministers, prime ministers, and the president.

 

However, the chairman of the ruling party's central committee suddenly meets with former President Park Geun-hye to discuss these matters.

 

This approach raises questions about whether this is part of normal governance," Lee questioned.

 

Regarding the extended conflict between the medical community and the government, Lee stated, "President Yoon's fixation on 2,000 medical school quota and university assignments has made it difficult to persuade the medical community and reach agreements." He highlighted the "fixation on the 2,000 increase" as the cause and said, "Even ruling party candidates agreed." "We must focus on improving public health, which is essential.

 

We need to shift our focus from the fixed number of 2,000 additional admission quotas and instead work on a comprehensive expansion plan that includes establishing public medical schools and regional doctor programs.

 

These programs are essential for maintaining medical services in public and regional areas," Lee said.

 

"As proposed by the Democratic Party, we request the establishment and operation of a consultative body to resolve the issue swiftly," Lee suggested.