Conflict between President and ruling party leader escalates as they have different opinions in major issues

President Yoon Suk-yeol talks with Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People\'s Power Party, and floor leader Choo Kyung-ho at a dinner in front of the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on August 24. Courtesy of the presidential office

The presidential office and the ruling party continue to spar over how to resolve the medical-political conflict. President Yoon Suk-yeol has postponed a dinner with the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) leadership, and the presidential office refused to postpone the increase of medical school admissions, a solution proposed by PPP leader Han Dong-hoon. Han fought back, saying, “The party should convey the public sentiment.” Analysts say it shows a lack of communication within the ruling camp, inability to coordinate policies, and damaged presidential leadership.

An official from the presidential office told reporters at the presidential office building in Yongsan on August 28, "There is no change in the existing position. We understand that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has conveyed his position to the ruling party.” The official added, “Regardless of the party's position, the presidential office has always been consistent in its stance.” He also said that the presidential office “has not considered” the replacement of Park Min-soo, the second vice minister of Health and Welfare at all. In other words, the presidential office re-emphasized its opposition to the resolution of the medical-political conflict, which has been discussed in the PPP.

The presidential office also said it has postponed a dinner between Yoon and the PPP leadership, which was scheduled for the 30th. “It will be held after the Chuseok holidays,” a senior presidential office official said, adding, ”We decided that the priority is to think about measures for people's livelihoods rather than showing the ruling party and the government gathering to eat ahead of the holidays." An official from the PPP said during a phone interview, "It would be difficult to eat together because Yoon and Han are in completely different positions."

Another senior official in the presidential office spoke to reporters for about 70 minutes about medical reform, saying, “Suspending the increase of the medical school admissions for the 2026 academic year is more like saying not to increase the number of doctors than it is an alternative. , “I don't mean to disparage it, but it's a bit unrealistic.” He also added, "If the president office gives in to the persistent and structural resistance of interest groups, it will fall into a situation where it is difficult to implement policies, and it is hard to say the country is normal.”

Han is not backing down. After meeting with members of the Health and Welfare Committee at the National Assembly, he told reporters that “the party should convey the public sentiment.” Han said, "The priority of the state is to protect the health and safety of the people. I think the presidential office only needs to think about discussing it and what is the right answer.”

It is said that the conflict between Yoon and Han has accumulated and entered the "nth round." Their differences in positions include the Kim keon-hee luxury bag case, the proportional nomination scandal in the 22nd general election, the controversy over ignoring and disclosing First Lady Kim's text messages, and the reinstatement of former South Gyeongsang Governor Kim Kyung-soo.

Some observers believe that the relationship between Yoon and Han will become increasingly difficult to repair as the conflict recurs. "I think Han may have to resign at some point," a key official of the PPP said in a phone interview. "Rather, thanks to the presidential office, which fights back, Han will continue to have viability. One side will have no choice but to collapse."

※This article has undergone review by a professional translator after being translated by an AI translation tool.