Seoul, government open to deans' compromise on doctors' strike

Proposed halving of new admission quotas in faculties has led to protests by residents and created several disruptions in hospitals. Meanwhile, after the election defeat, President Yoon invited his former challenger and opposition leader Lee to an interview for the first time.

Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) - A glimmer of hope is opening for a possible compromise in the harsh conflict that has seen medical specialists on strike for two months in South Korea. The Seoul government has accepted the request made by the presidents of six national universities for greater flexibility in increasing the admissions of new students.

The six universities, all located outside the capital, have suggested halving their shares in the government's plan to add 2,000 admissions to medical schools from 2025, sparking protests from the current 13,000 residents.

During a press briefing, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (who resigned after the defeat of the conservative party in the elections a few weeks ago) declared that he accepted this proposal with the intention of overcoming the stalemate, after procedures and surgeries have been canceled at the country's major hospitals. “The government cannot afford to leave the damage caused by the medical vacuum unattended,” Han said, adding that universities must decide on fee increases by the end of the month.

The opening is part of the post-election climate, which yesterday also saw another significant initiative: President Yoon Suk Yeol called the leader of the Democratic Party Lee Jae-myung, the main opposition figure whom he beat by a handful of votes in the 2022 presidential elections, proposing a meeting for him next week. Lee thanked Yoon for the invitation.

If it comes to fruition, the meeting between Yoon and Lee will be the first of its kind since the president took office in May 2022. Lee had repeatedly called for talks with the president, but Yoon had so far proved unwilling to sit down with his former rival.

The need to cooperate with the opposition grew, however, after the DP-led opposition won a landslide victory in the general elections, securing 192 seats against the ruling People Power Party's 108 in the 300-member National Assembly members.