President Lee Jaemyung has underscored the urgent need for practical measures to facilitate the return of medical residents and students to the field by the second semester.

During his first press conference since taking office on July 3, President Lee responded to questions on reintegrating medical professionals, outlining the administration’s commitment to expanding conditions for their return within this academic term through a broad range of government initiatives.

He referenced a recent welcoming statement by major medical organizations regarding the nomination of a new Minister of Health and Welfare, noting a perceptible shift in the overall mood within the medical community. President Lee also assessed that the previous administration’s unilateral policies had exacerbated challenges, ultimately leaving a significant impact on the national medical system.

To address these issues, President Lee emphasized that rebuilding trust hinges on the prompt resumption of dialogue and candid discussions. He expressed optimism that, with necessary compromises, it would be possible to fully resolve the current tensions in the healthcare sector. In this context, he also announced a plan to expedite the appointment of the Minister of Health and Welfare.

The president reaffirmed his commitment to balanced regional development as a core agenda of the new administration. Stressing the reduction of regional disparities, President Lee revealed that he had instructed the government to introduce weighted calculations by region during budget allocation and early policy formulation.

He further explained that the government is piloting the distribution of more consumption-support vouchers to regions experiencing difficulties such as population decline. Legal mandates and other concrete measures are under consideration, he said, leaving no doubt about his determination to prevent the marginalization of provincial areas.

On the subject of new town development, President Lee maintained that ongoing projects would continue. However, he clarified that any additional developments would proceed only after careful consideration, in line with the vision for long-term regional balance.

When asked about the second phase of public institution relocation to provincial regions, President Lee acknowledged its necessity for achieving balanced growth, yet clarified that specific implementation plans were still in the early stages. He addressed the complexities of allocating agencies to each region and responded to debate over the retention of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in Busan.

Regarding the establishment of a maritime court, he noted the matter was not exclusive to either Busan or Incheon, asserting that pursuing such courts in both cities could proceed simultaneously.

On the issue of anti-discrimination legislation, President Lee said that pressing issues of civilian welfare and the economy should take priority. He emphasized the need for focused debate on divisive topics and expressed hope that the National Assembly would take the lead in facilitating discussions.

Finally, the president reaffirmed his interest in advancing human rights-related policies, such as the Life Partnership Act, which was a pledge during his campaign.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News Agency