Government "Attempting Dialogue with Uijeop... Official Position to Be Announced Soon" (Update)

Ministry of Health and Welfare [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The government will soon officially announce its stance on the collective strike announced by the Korea Medical Association (KMA) scheduled for the 14th.

On the 11th, Kim Heonju, Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said regarding the KMA's announced strike, "The government is preparing in various ways to ensure that medical services are not disrupted and is continuing to attempt dialogue with the KMA," adding, "We will share the government's position before noon on the 12th, the deadline set by the KMA."

Earlier, the KMA stated that if the government does not take five improvement measures by noon on the 12th, including △withdrawal of the plan to increase medical school quotas △withdrawal of the establishment of public medical universities △withdrawal of the pilot project for herbal medicine coverage △cessation of telemedicine policies △establishment of a public-private cooperation system with the KMA, they would proceed with the strike.

Regarding the scale of the collective strike, Director Kim said, "It is still too early to predict," and added, "We are preparing to ensure that there is no disruption in medical services."

He continued, "Regarding the deadline requested until 12:00 tomorrow (the 12th), there will likely be an opportunity to present a specific position," and added, "If preparations are complete before noon tomorrow, we will provide it in the form of materials."

Regarding the operation of COVID-19 screening clinics during the collective strike, he anticipated, "There will be no impact on public health center screening clinics, and there will be little impact on work and testing at other screening clinics."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.