Lee welcomes return of medical students, asks future doctors to have social responsibility

President Lee Jae Myung has shared his words of relief in response to news that Korea's medical students will be returning to schools ending a prolonged protest over the previous administration's efforts to expand medical school seats.

Our correspondent Yoon Jung-min covers these remarks and more from his latest Cabinet meeting.

President Lee Jae Myung presided over Tuesday's Cabinet meeting first by noting the decision by medical school students who have been boycotting classes for 17 months to protest the previous administration's medical reform policy, aimed at expanding school enrollment, to return to school.

"It's belated, but it's a great relief. I hope the educational authorities expedite necessary follow-up measures. I also ask medical students to ponder upon their social responsibilities as future medical professionals in charge of the health and lives of the people."

Among a host of issues addressed at the table, the president noted dire economic conditions, stressing the importance of organizing finances in an "efficient way" so that they can play an "active role" in helping the economy.

"I ask you to boldly adjust budgets that have been used in a customary, inefficient and wasteful manner, and to efficiently organize them by broadly reflecting the people's opinions."

Approved during the meeting was the promulgation of partial revisions made to the Commercial Act that expand directors' fiduciary duty beyond the company to shareholders to better reflect the interests of small investors.

This took effect upon promulgation.

It includes a rule that caps voting rights of major shareholders and related parties at 3-percent when electing or dismissing audit committee members.

This particular change will take effect a year from now.

Also approved were changes to the martial law regulations to ban anyone from blocking lawmakers from entering the National Assembly after martial law has been declared.

Additionally, the Cabinet set a certain legal basis for the foreign seasonal worker program, often used in the agricultural or fishing industries, only allowing the state or local governments to get involved in the job of bringing in foreign workers, other than unauthorized entities.

The president, who appeared without a tie for the second straight week amid the extreme heat, concluded his opening remarks by asking public officials to do their best to protect people from any heat or rain-related damage.

Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.