'Collective Medical Suspension' by KMA, General Strike Rally: "Irresponsible Medical Policies Must Stop"

KMA Begins Mass Strike on 14th... 20,000 Rally in Yeouido
Choi Dae-jip: "Government Unilaterally Pushes Four Major Evil Medical Policies"
31.3% of Clinic-Level Medical Institutions Nationwide Closed as of Noon
No Disruption in Morning Consultations... Normal Treatment Continues

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Seungyoon Song and Jeongyun Lee] The Korean Medical Association (KMA) held a rally on the 14th opposing the government's medical policies, including the increase in medical school quotas, urging the government to promptly withdraw the policies.

At the 'National Doctors' General Strike Rally to Stop the Four Evil Medical Policies' held in Yeouido, Seoul, from 3 p.m., KMA President Choi Dae-jip stated, "The government has suddenly unleashed the 'four evil medical policies' and has been rushing forward unilaterally without any discussion or consultation."

According to the organizers' estimate, about 20,000 people participated in the rally. The KMA began a collective strike from the morning before the rally. Interns and residents training at university hospitals also participated in the strike, but essential workers directly related to patient lives, such as those in emergency rooms, intensive care units, dialysis rooms, and delivery rooms, did not participate.

President Choi said, "If the government does not admit its mistakes and show a change in attitude, we will become stronger and more solid," adding, "We clearly state that our struggle will continue."

Kim Dong-seok, president of the Korean Association of Private Practitioners, who attended the rally, emphasized, "The government must immediately stop its reckless policy push," and added, "What is currently lacking is not the number of doctors but proper policies."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The KMA defined the increase in medical school quotas, the establishment of public medical schools, the inclusion of herbal medicine decoctions in insurance coverage, and the introduction of telemedicine as the 'four evil medical policies' and demanded their withdrawal. They also warned that if the government does not take corrective measures, they will proceed with second and third general strikes.

Thousands of participants at the rally shouted slogans while wearing masks or held placards demanding the withdrawal of government policies, each voicing their criticism.

Earlier, the government recommended that the KMA comply with quarantine guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the rally. On the same day, South Korea showed signs of a resurgence with 103 new daily COVID-19 cases reported.

Meanwhile, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, as of 12 p.m. that day, out of 33,836 clinic-level medical institutions nationwide, 10,584 reported closures, accounting for 31.3% of all clinic-level medical institutions.

Since the core of the KMA's collective strike consisted of private practitioners operating neighborhood clinics, concerns about a medical crisis centered on clinic-level institutions were raised, but no significant disruption in medical services occurred. However, some patients who were unaware of the closures had to turn away after seeing closure notices posted at various clinic entrances. Clinics that remained open showed little difference from usual throughout the morning.

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