The government has repeated its calls for a doctors’ group and a trainee doctors’ group to join a proposed four-way consultative body set to launch next week. 

Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo urged the groups to take part Thursday during a government meeting, adding that the body is set to launch Monday with representation from the government, rival parties and the medical community.

Expressing hope that the different sides will join forces to find solutions to the prolonged medical crisis, Park strongly urged the KMA, the country’s biggest doctors’ group, and the Korean Intern and Resident Association to participate. 

Calling for dialogue to narrow differences and regain trust, Park said nothing is more important than the people’s health. 

While the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences and the Korea Association of Medical Colleges agreed to participate in the body last month, the KMA has boycotted the initiative.