Tenacious or stubborn? Yoon's medical reform plan faces crisis 끈기인가, 고집인가?

[김우정]

끈기이가, 고집인가? 

참 절묘한 기사제목입니다.

국민들의 관심은 의대정원 증원이 아니고 원활한 의료서비스를 받을 수 있는가입니다.

교착상태에 빠진 의료개혁 사태, 그 열쇠는 누가 쥐고 있을까요?

Tenacious or stubborn? Yoon's medical reform plan faces crisis
끈기인가, 고집인가? 윤대통령의 의료개혁, 위기직면

By Lee Hyo-jin 이효진 기자
Posted : 2024-09-07 09:14 Updated : 2024-09-07 09:14
Korea Times

President Yoon Suk Yeol visits an emergency room at a general hospital in Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Courtesy of the presidential office 윤석열 대통령이 수요일 경기도 종합병원 응급실을 방문하고 있다. 청와대 제공

President's approval rating plunges as public anxiety over healthcare standoff escalates
의료 교착 상태에 대한 대중의 불안감이 고조되면서 대통령 지지율 급락

Seven months ago, when President Yoon Suk Yeol unveiled his ambitious medical reform plan, which included a significant increase in medical school admission quotas, it was widely welcomed by the public. The plan garnered nearly 80 percent of support, surveys showed, as people positively viewed Yoon's bold move to address the nation's chronic doctor shortage.
7개월 전, 윤석열 대통령이 의과대학 입학 정원을 대폭 늘리는 등 야심찬 의료 개혁 계획을 발표했을 때 대중의 환영을 받았다. 설문조사에 따르면 이 계획은 거의 80%의 지지를 받았으며, 사람들은 만성적인 의사 부족 문제를 해결하기 위한 윤 대통령의 대담한 움직임을 긍정적으로 평가했다.

The government's stern response to trainee doctors' mass resignations, protesting the quota hike, also resonated with the public. In early March, the president's approval ratings surged to nearly 40 percent, up 10 percentage points compared to the previous month.
의대정원 증원에 항의하는 수련의들의 집단 사직에 대한 정부의 엄중한 대응도 국민들에게 큰 반향을 일으켰다. 3월 초, 대통령 지지율은 전월 대비 10% 포인트 상승한 40%에 육박할 정도로 급등했다.

Fast forward to late August, however, Yoon's approval rating has plummeted to 29 percent, the lowest since August 2022, according to a recent Realmeter survey. Analysts attribute this decline to growing public frustration with the government's handling of the medical reform plan and its lack of effort to resolve the health care deadlock.
그러나 최근 리얼미터 조사에 따르면 8월 말로 넘어가면 윤 후보의 지지율은 29%로 급락하여 2022년 8월 이후 최저치를 기록했다. 분석가들은 이러한 하락세가 정부의 의료개혁안 처리와 의료 교착상태 해결을 위한 노력 부족에 대한 대중의 불만이 커지고 있기 때문이라고 분석하고 있다.

What began as a protest by trainee doctors has now expanded to include medical professionals, leading to reduced operating hours in emergency rooms (ERs) in several general hospitals. In recent weeks, multiple incidents have made headlines where urgent patients were turned away from ERs, resulting in severe conditions or even death due to delays in due medical care.
수련의들의 항의로 시작된 것이 이제 의료 전문가들로 확대되어 여러 종합병원의 응급실(ER) 운영 시간이 단축되었다. 최근 몇 주 동안 응급실에서 응급실로 긴급한 환자들이 응급실을 외면당하여 중증 질환이 발생하거나 적절한 의료 서비스 지연으로 인해 사망하는 사건이 여러 건 발생하여 헤드라인을 장식했다.

In response, the government said the situation in hospitals remains manageable in emergency mode, pointing out that doctor shortages in ERs existed even before the strike began.
이에 대해 정부는 응급실의 의사 부족이 파업이 시작되기 전부터 존재했다고 지적하며 병원의 상황이 응급 모드에서 여전히 관리 가능하다고 말했다.

A patient sits in a wheelchair at a hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. A sign reads that treatment at the emergency room can be delayed due to a staff shortage. Yonhap 목요일 경기도 성남의 한 병원에서 한 환자가 휠체어에 앉아 있다. 응급실 진료가 인력 부족으로 지연될 수 있다는 표지판이 붙어 있다. 연합

Yet, with the upcoming Chuseok holiday, which runs from Sept. 14 to 18, when most clinics will close, fears are growing that overburdened ERs will be unable to handle the anticipated surge in patients.
그러나 대부분의 병원이 문을 닫는 9월 14일부터 18일까지 이어지는 다가오는 추석 연휴로 인해 과중한 응급실이 예상되는 환자 급증을 감당하지 못할 것이라는 우려가 커지고 있다.

As public frustration intensifies, political analysts warn that Yoon's reform plan stands at a crossroads. The success of his medical reform, they say, now depends on whether the president will shift his course.
대중의 불만이 심화됨에 따라 정치 분석가들은 윤 대통령의 개혁 계획이 기로에 서 있다고 경고한다. 그들은 이제 그의 의료 개혁의 성공 여부는 대통령이 방향을 바꿀지 여부에 달려 있다고 말한다.

"The public is losing patience with the strained health care system. While doctors share some blame for turning their backs on patients, the government is also at fault for not taking an active role in persuading them to return," said Park Sang-byeong, a professor at Inha University's Graduate School of Policy Studies.
박상병 인하대 정책대학원 교수는 "국민은 경색된 의료 시스템에 인내심을 잃고 있다며 의사들이 환자들을 등진 것에 대해 일부 책임을 분담하고 있지만, 환자들의 복귀를 설득하는 데 적극적인 역할을 하지 않은 정부도 잘못이 있다,"고 말했다.

Park emphasized that how the president resolves the medical standoff will have a significant impact on his other reform agendas — labor, education and pension.
박 교수는 대통령이 의료 교착 상태를 어떻게 해결하느냐가 다른 개혁 의제인 노동, 교육, 연금에 중대한 영향을 미칠 것이라고 강조했다.

"The president, who approaches the halfway point of his term in a few months, faces a crucial dilemma," the professor said. "If he concedes to the doctors now, he risks losing momentum for other reforms. However, if he continues to dig in, the health care crisis may spiral out of control, making it even more difficult to recover his approval ratings."
박 교수는 "몇 달 만에 임기의 중간 지점에 다가선 대통령은 중대한 딜레마에 직면해 있다,"고 말했다. "지금 의사들에게 양보하면 다른 개혁의 추진력을 잃을 위험이 있다. 그러나 그가 계속 파고들면 의료위기가 걷잡을 수 없이 치솟아 지지율 회복이 더욱 어려워질 수 있다."

The root of the prolonged standoff lies in Yoon's determination to increase medical school quotas — from the current 3,058 to 5,058 for the 2025 academic year — followed by an additional 2,000 seats annually through 2029.
교착 상태가 장기화된 원인은 2025학년도 의대 정원을 현재 3,058명에서 5,058명으로 늘린 데 이어 2029학년도까지 매년 2,000명을 추가로 늘리겠다는 윤 대통령의 결심에 있다.

His administration views the expansion as essential to alleviating the doctor shortage and ensuring long-term stability in the health care system.
그의 행정부는 이러한 확대가 의사 부족을 완화하고 의료 시스템의 장기적인 안정성을 보장하는 데 필수적이라고 보고 있다.

But critics say that his focus on numbers is misplaced.
하지만 비평가들은 그가 숫자에 집중하는 것이 잘못되었다고 말한다.

"Yoon seems fixated on increasing the quota by 2,000 while somewhat overlooking other components of medical reforms such as improving medical service in rural areas and increasing compensation for doctors in harsh working conditions," Park said.
박 교수는 "윤 대통령은 2,000명 늘리는 데 집착하는 한편, 열악한 근무 환경에서 농촌 지역 의료 서비스 개선과 의사 보수 인상 등 의료 개혁의 다른 요소는 다소 간과하고 있는 것 같다,"고 말했다.

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, center, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, speaks to reporters during his visit to Korea University Anam Hospital, Wednesday. Yonhap 더불어민주당 대표인 이재명 의원(가운데)이 수요일 고려대 안암병원을 방문해 기자들과 이야기를 나누고 있다. 연합

The ongoing standoff has turned into a lonely uphill battle for the president, with little support from the National Assembly.
현재 진행 중인 교착 상태는 국회의 지원이 거의 없는 상황에서 대통령에게 외로운 힘겨운 싸움으로 번졌다.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), while agreeing with the need for medical reform, has escalated its criticism of the government's inflexibility in handling the crisis.
더불어민주당은 의료 개혁의 필요성에 공감하면서도 정부의 위기 대처 유연성에 대한 비판을 확대하고 있습니다.

During his visit to Korea University Anam Hospital on Wednesday, DPK leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung expressed concerns about the government's adamant stance on increasing the medical school student quota.
이재명 민주당 대표는 수요일 고려대 안암병원을 방문한 자리에서 의대 정원 증원에 대한 정부의 단호한 입장에 대해 우려를 표명했다.

"While the goal of increasing the medical school admission quota itself is reasonable, the scale and timeline have been pushed too quickly without adequate justification. This has caused unnecessary disruptions, undermining the purpose and legitimacy of the reform," Lee said.
이 대표는 "의대 입학정원을 늘리겠다는 목표 자체는 합리적이지만, 그 규모와 일정이 적절한 명분 없이 너무 빨리 추진됐다며 이로 인해 불필요한 차질이 빚어져 개혁의 목적과 정당성이 훼손되고 있다,"고 지적했다.

Lee proposed forming a consultative body with the government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to find common ground but remained skeptical. "I can't help but feel frustrated, wondering if these discussions will be meaningful given the presidential office's rigid stance."
이 대표는 정부 및 여당인 국민의힘과 협의체를 구성해 공통점을 찾자고 제안했지만 회의적인 태도를 유지했다. "청와대의 경직된 입장을 고려할 때 이런 논의가 의미가 있을지 답답할 수밖에 없다."

In an apparent attempt to mediate, in late August, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon floated the idea of delaying the quota increase in the 2026 academic year. However, the presidential office quickly dismissed the proposal.
중재를 시도하기 위해 8월 말, 한동훈 국민의 힘 대표는 2026학년도에 정원 증원을 연기하자는 아이디어를 떠올렸다. 그러나 청와대는 이 제안을 재빨리 일축했다.

Political commentator Rhee Jong-hoon said the PPP leader's role in resolving the medical standoff is limited.
이종훈 정치 평론가는 의료 대치상황을 해결하기 위한 국민의 힘 지도자의 역할은 제한적이라고 말했다.

"Han doesn't have the authority to openly lead on this issue, as he's trying to avoid clashing with the presidential office," Rhee said.
이 평론가는 "한 대표는 청와대와의 충돌을 피하기 위해 이 문제를 공개적으로 주도할 권한이 없다,"고 말했다.

"The current standoff will not be resolved unless the president shifts his position. While his leadership style can be characterized as strong determination in his policy drives, the public is increasingly viewing him as too stubborn and staunch in the medical dispute that has put people's lives at risk," he added.
"대통령이 입장을 바꾸지 않는 한 현재의 교착 상태는 해결되지 않을 것이다. 그의 리더십 스타일은 그의 정책 추진에 있어 강력한 결단력으로 특징지을 수 있지만, 대중은 점점 더 그를 사람들의 생명을 위험에 빠뜨린 의료 분쟁에 너무 고집스럽고 단호하게 받아들이고 있다,"라고 그는 덧붙였다.

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a press conference at the presidential office in Seoul, Aug. 29. Yonhap 윤석열 대통령이 8월 29일 서울 청와대에서 열린 기자회견에서 연설하고 있다. 연합

The presidential office announced Friday its willingness to form a consultative body with both ruling and opposition parties to adjust the scale of the medical school admission quota hike starting for the 2026 academic year.
청와대는 금요일 2026학년도부터 의과대학 입학정원 인상 규모를 조정하기 위해 여야 모두와 협의체를 구성할 의향이 있다고 발표했다.

"If the doctors can provide reasonable and scientific projections, we are open to engaging in candid discussions. Everything can be reviewed from square one in these talks," a senior presidential official said.
"의사들이 합리적이고 과학적인 예측을 제시할 수 있다면 우리는 솔직한 논의에 참여할 수 있다. 이 회담에서 모든 것을 원점에서 검토할 수 있다,"라고 청와대 고위 관계자는 말했다.

However, it remains to be seen whether the government will soften its hardline stance and swiftly develop an exit plan to bring doctors back to work.
그러나 정부가 강경한 입장을 완화하고 신속하게 출구 계획을 수립하여 의사들을 업무에 복귀시킬지는 아직 미지수이다.

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