The ruling People Power Party has launched a consultative body with the government and some doctors’ groups, but without the participation of the main opposition party, a trainee doctors’ group or the country’s largest group of doctors. 

The body held its inaugural meeting at the National Assembly on Monday, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, People Power Party Chairman Han Dong-hoon and the chiefs of doctors’ groups in attendance.

The main opposition Democratic Party, the Korean Intern and Resident Association and the Korea Medical Association, the country’s largest group of doctors, did not attend. 

The ruling party chair said the body’s decisions will guide government policy and called for the Democratic Party to join the talks.

The prime minister announced plans to invest 30 trillion won, or about 21-point-five billion U.S. dollars, over the next five years to create what he called a sustainable, high-quality health care system.