Han Duck-soo, the Acting President and Prime Minister, stated on the 25th, “This week is the ‘last golden time’ for the medical students to return to their studies and for the normalization of education,” appealing to medical students who have taken a leave in protest of the increase in medical school admissions to return. Currently, most medical schools have set this week as the deadline for students to return.
While presiding over his first Cabinet meeting since returning to duty at the Seoul Government Complex, Acting President Han expressed, “Many medical students are returning to classes, but there are still many who haven’t returned, and it weighs on my mind. Thinking about the future of each medical student, as well as the future of our citizens and patients, it’s truly regrettable.” The government previously announced on the 7th that it would adjust the medical school intake for the 2026 academic year to 5,058 from 3,058, the quota for the 2024 academic year, on the condition that all medical students return by March. Most medical schools plan to expel students who do not return this week.
Acting President Han added, “Previously, university presidents and medical school deans proposed adjusting the intake for 2026 on the condition that all medical students return by the end of March to normalize medical education, and the government accepted this proposal after deep consideration. I hope medical students and their parents will listen to the rational persuasion of the presidents and deans.”
He further urged, “Medical students are the talents who will safeguard the lives of both the current and future generations of Korea. It’s time for them to return to their places. I believe all our citizens are prepared to warmly welcome those who are returning.”
Presiding over his first Cabinet meeting upon returning to duty, Acting President Han conveyed his gratitude to the citizens by saying, “Despite various political difficulties, it’s thanks to all the citizens that our country is maintaining relative stability. I offer my sincere apologies and deep gratitude,” while checking on pressing issues such as the trade war originating from the U.S. and wildfire prevention and response, instructing Cabinet members to respond meticulously.
Acting President Han especially emphasized responding to the ‘trade war’ following U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs. He stated, “Our mission at this moment is to protect the safety of the citizens, secure national interest from the trade war, and promptly devise solutions to the pressing national issues through cooperation with the National Assembly.” He pledged to exert all efforts based on his experience in trade and diplomacy to navigate through the tariff storm originating from the U.S. and to actively engage in discussions with the ruling and opposition parties to ease the impending livelihood crisis.
Meanwhile, the opposition party repeatedly pressed for the appointment of Maeonhyuk as a Constitutional Court judge, but Acting President Han did not mention the candidate during the Cabinet meeting. Park Chan-dae, the leader of the Democratic Party, urged, “Yesterday (24th), the Constitutional Court dismissed the impeachment of Prime Minister Han but pointed out that not appointing the three Constitutional Court judges elected by the National Assembly is a violation of the constitution and law. Prime Minister Han should appoint Judge Maeonhyuk today following the intent of the Constitutional Court’s decision.”