PPP's Kim apologizes to doctors amid prolonged medical crisis, calls for political reform

The main conservative party contender stayed in the capital area where he met with different organizations, including doctors' associations amid the prolonged conflict over medical reform.

Earlier in the day, he called for political reform, aiming to reduce the number of lawmakers among others.

Our Kim Do-yeon reports.

Yet another apology from the People Power Party for the actions of the former administration.

On Thursday, presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo met with leaders of the medical community—issuing a public apology for the Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s handling of the medical reform, despite collective pushback from doctors.

"As a responsible cabinet member of the government myself, I sincerely offer an apology. The fact that it's not just one or two doctors but nearly all of them raising this issue clearly indicates there is a problem."

Kim clarified that he wasn't taking sides—but emphasized the need for the government to listen to professionals in the field.

According to the Doctors’ Association, Kim pledged to resolve the ongoing medical crisis within the first six months of his term.

He spent the day meeting with various civil society groups.

At a roundtable with the heads of Korea’s five major business organizations, Kim highlighted his pro-industry record as former Gyeonggi-do Province Governor.

"This was also his fourth day in the capital region meeting organizations and rallying for support.

And one of his rallies here was Bucheon City's Sosa-gu District his old congressional district where he served three terms until around 20 years ago."

This also comes as the capital region is always a key battleground where he needs to expand his support to turn things around before the election day.

Meanwhile, Kim also made a surprise morning announcement—calling for sweeping political reform.

"Will we achieve a second wave of democratization? Or head toward an authoritarian presidential system? I'm deeply concerned."

His remarks were seen as a warning against a potential power monopoly, should Democratic Party front-runner Lee Jae-myung win—adding to the DP’s existing parliamentary majority.

Kim’s reform pledges include cutting the number of lawmakers from 300 to 270, granting the opposition power to appoint an independent inspector general, raising the threshold for impeachment motions, and shielding the judiciary and investigative bodies from political pressure.

His message lands as the DP filed around 30 impeachment motions during Yoon's term only one of which, against former President Yoon, passed.

Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.