Jin-woo Lee, President of the Korean Medical Association: “Dialogue is necessary even amid war”
Jin-woo Lee, President of the Korean Medical Association (center) ⓒNewsis
[By Nam Ga-hee, Dailyan] The Korean Medical Association and the Korean Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC) decided to participate in the ruling-opposition medical-government consultative body. Han Dong-hoon, the Leader of the People Power Party, immediately expressed his approval.
On the 22nd, according to the medical community, President Jin-woo Lee sent a message to the association’s executives stating that this decision was made to resolve the legislative-medical situation.
In this message, President Lee mentioned, “The Medical Association has supported the unified voice centered on the Korean Medical Association (KMA) but there has been no progress. Dialogue is necessary even in wartime. After in-depth discussions with former presidents and the steering committee, we have decided to participate in the ruling-opposition-medical consultative body along with the KAMC.”
He further stated, “I apologize for not informing and consulting with each board member in advance. I hope you will understand that this is a difficult decision to resolve the legislative-medical situation and support it.”
In response, Leader Han stated through Facebook, “It seems that the ruling-opposition-medical consultative body will be activated. We welcome the participation of the medical community in this consultative body.”
Leader Han expressed hope, saying, “This will be the starting point to resolve the medical situation that has been inconveniencing the public for a long time. We also respect the medical community’s opinion that the autonomy of medical college operations and evaluations should be sufficiently guaranteed for the cultivation of good medical personnel.”
He concluded, “We should solve these issues solely with the health of the people in mind. We deeply appreciate the medical community’s decision,” and added, “Our People Power Party will also do its utmost together.”