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Seoul: Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated that the government remains adaptable regarding its plan to raise the medical school admissions quota next year amidst an ongoing strike by trainee doctors opposing the proposal. Since February 20, thousands of trainee doctors nationwide have staged a walkout to protest the plan, leading to a prolonged deadlock between doctors and the government. President Yoon Suk Yeol recently met with a leader of the trainee doctors and pledged to "respect" their stance on medical reform, including the proposal to increase the medical school quota by 2,000 seats from the current 3,058. Han emphasized that the government is not solely fixated on numbers and maintains flexibility on all matters, including the medical school quota. He expressed a desire to engage in discussions with doctors in a flexible manner, suggesting the formation of a presidential committee if reaching a unified proposal proves challenging. The government's rationale behind the quota increase is to address the shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas and crucial medical fields. However, doctors argue that the hike could compromise the quality of medical education and services, leading to an oversupply of physicians. Han emphasized the significance of President Yoon's meeting with Park Dan, the head of an emergency committee at the Korea Intern Resident Association, as a positive step towards dialogue with trainee doctors. He stated that the government is actively seeking opportunities for open-minded discussions. Efforts are underway to swiftly establish a social consultative body to address medical reform comprehensively, including the proposed increase in medical school admissions. Han expressed regret over the deaths of emergency patients due to the ongoing strike and pledged to strengthen the medical system through reform initiatives. Regarding North Korea, Han reiterated the government's openness to dialogue but highlighted Pyongyang's continued provocations, prompting Seoul to advocate for a deterrence policy in cooperation with like-minded nations. He also criticized Russia's recent veto at the U.N. Security Council, describing it as detrimental to peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and globally. When questioned about the potential impact of the November U.S. presidential election on relations with Seoul, Han emphasized the necessity for the continued strengthening of ties between the two countries, regardless of the election outcome. He also underscored the significance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, China, and Japan in upholding peace and security in East Asia, particularly as discussions are underway for a three-way summit in Seoul next month. Han noted that both countries share a common goal of promptly convening a South Korea-China-Japan summit, as evidenced by recent high-level discussions between Seoul and Beijing, despite the specific schedule remaining to be finalized.