Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare noted on the 22nd, "I will find a way to rapidly normalize (medical services) at the level of the citizens." After the inauguration ceremony, Minister Jeong said this to reporters. She is the sixth Minister of Health and Welfare to come from a medical background.
She acknowledged the controversy regarding preferential treatment for medical students and residents by saying, "I am aware of the sharp criticisms." She added, "We need to consider that this is something that started as a unilateral policy from the previous government," and stated, "If there is a gap of over two years in producing doctors, it could exacerbate difficulties for patients and the public, so we must find effective and reasonable solutions."
Minister Jeong said, "We will gather opinions on the return of residents through the training council," emphasizing, "We will find measures that the public can understand." She mentioned, "The essential medical package policy and issues related to medical accidents were also important issues that the previous government considered," adding, "Plans must come out focusing on protecting both medical professionals and the public." She further remarked, "Normalizing training and ensuring continuity are parallel priorities," stating, "We should take this as an opportunity to create a strong training system on a larger scale."
She commented on the statement made by medical doctors and residents expressing a desire for dialogue, saying, "I believe this reflects their aspiration to quickly normalize medical services at the level of the citizens." She continued, "I expect to discuss this positively together," and expressed her intention to meet with patients with severe and rare diseases as well as individuals in the medical community.