Seoul: The ruling People Power Party (PPP) announced the formation of a consultative body in collaboration with the government and doctors’ groups to address the ongoing walkout by trainee doctors. The initiative, set to be launched this week, aims to include the main opposition party’s involvement to resolve the situation.

According to Yonhap News Agency, thousands of trainee doctors have staged a mass resignation since February. This protest was in response to the government’s plan to increase the medical school quota by approximately 2,000 annually over the next five years, which has significantly disrupted the national healthcare system.

To address this issue, the ruling party will launch the consultative body on Monday. The entity will include key figures such as Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, presidential chief of staff for policy Sung Tae-yoon, Education Minister Lee Ju-ho, and Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong, alongside party lawmakers.

Despite the initial agreement from the main opposition Democratic P
arty (DP) to participate, their engagement has been lukewarm, citing the absence of trainee doctors in the discussions. From the medical sector, groups representing medical school deans and medical researchers will participate, but the junior doctors’ group and the Korea Medical Association have decided to boycott the initiative.

PPP lawmaker Kim Sang-hoon stated, “We will send a request to the DP for its participation. The new body is meant to discuss all issues without any preconditions.” The medical community has insisted on a complete revision of the medical school quota hike, but the government remains firm on maintaining the 2025 quota, only considering a review for 2026 and beyond.