President Lee Jae Myung: ”Medical students return... It's late, but I'm really glad” = South Korea

On the 15th, President Lee Jae-myung said, "Although it's late, I'm really glad" about the medical students who recently expressed their intention to return to the country.
President Lee presided over a Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office in Yongsan on the same day and said, "I ask the education authorities to take necessary follow-up measures as soon as possible."
President Lee said, "I would like medical students to think a little more deeply about their social responsibilities as medical personnel who are responsible for the health and lives of the people."
He also instructed that "relevant ministries and agencies should thoroughly examine gaps in local medical care, essential medical care, and emergency medical care, and quickly prepare supplementary measures."
He also said, "There is a serious lack of dialogue in our society. I can't say who is to blame, but even now, in all areas,
"I hope that the dialogue will proceed smoothly, and I also ask that the authorities maintain close communication with medical professionals."
Medical students began taking a leave of absence in February last year after the government announced plans to increase the number of medical students by 2,000.
The government subsequently offered to exempt students from repeating a year, hold additional national exams, and reconsider the original quota for medical school admissions, but the medical students did not return.
The Graduate School Student Association issued a statement announcing the sudden return of the program after a year and five months. President Lee also instructed each ministry and agency to boldly cut wasteful spending in next year's budget proposal.
President Lee said, "The Korean economy is facing a tough environment and the private sector's fundamental strength is also significantly weakened, so we believe that the government's fiscal policy will continue to play an active role next year."
However, he also pointed out that, "There is also the issue that the national finances do not have much room for growth right now." President Lee said, "Each ministry and agency will boldly adjust wasteful budgets that are conventional or have lost their efficiency.
I ask that the government make preparations to broadly reflect the public's opinions in the budget formulation process so that an efficient budget formulation can be made."
On the second anniversary of the incident, President Lee said, "I pray for the repose of the souls of the victims and offer my deepest condolences to their families. We must take all possible measures to establish fundamental measures to ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again."
The Osong disaster was an underground passageway flooding accident that occurred on the morning of July 15, 2023. At the time, the collapse of the levee caused the underground passageway to flood, resulting in 14 deaths and 16 injuries.
Meanwhile, for the first time in the current administration's history, Korea Communications Commission Chairman Lee Jin-sook, who has caused controversy with her sudden actions, did not attend the Cabinet meeting.
The presidential office explained that the contents of the executive meeting were used for political purposes and that inappropriate discipline in public office was being displayed.