Dramatic Medical Policy Talks End with Only Position Differences Confirmed... 2nd General Strike Likely to Proceed (Summary)

Ministry of Health and Medical Association Maintain Existing Positions at Meeting
Disagreement Remains on Medical School Expansion, Public Medical Schools, and Herbal Medicine Coverage

The Korean Medical Association, which has announced a second strike in opposition to the expansion of medical school quotas, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the responsible government department, held an emergency meeting on the 19th. Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo and Korean Medical Association President Choi Dae-jib exchanged fist bumps at the 'Medical-Government Meeting' held at the Koreana Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The government and medical associations, which have been at odds over the expansion of medical school quotas and the establishment of public medical schools, met on the 19th to discuss but failed to find any significant agreement. The upcoming second strike by residents and the three-day general strike by doctors are expected to proceed as planned. However, with the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreading, there remains a possibility to reduce differences through further consultations, as the dialogue was dramatically reopened.

Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hoo, along with government officials and medical association leaders including Daehyeop President Choi Dae-jip and Korean Intern Resident Association President Park Ji-hyun, held a meeting at a hotel in Seoul to exchange views on recent issues. Initially, there was strong opposition from medical associations to the government’s medical policies, leading to a residents’ strike on the 7th and a collective doctor’s leave on the 14th. Recently, as COVID-19 cases surged mainly in the metropolitan area, the Korean Medical Association proposed dialogue with the government, which responded, resulting in this meeting.

The medical community, centered on the Korean Medical Association, clearly stated that they would only enter negotiations after the government withdraws the plans to expand medical school quotas and establish public medical schools, as well as abolishes coverage for herbal medicine prescriptions. They also said that only then could they jointly respond to recent situations such as COVID-19. On the other hand, the government maintained its position that withdrawing these policies is impossible.

The Korea Medical Association, which has announced a second strike in protest against the expansion of medical school quotas, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the responsible government department, held an emergency meeting on the 19th. Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, and Choi Dae-jip, President of the Korea Medical Association, are attending the 'Medical-Government Meeting' held at the Koreana Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Joint Press Corps

Government: "KMA insists on policy withdrawal and abolition first... Differences remain unresolved"
KMA: "Regret participating in talks under premise of maintaining existing policies... General strike"

After the meeting, Minister Park Neung-hoo said, "There were differences in opinions," adding, "The government suggested keeping all possibilities open, while the medical community demanded the withdrawal of all policies, so there was a gap in views." He continued, "One way to address regional medical disparities is to expand medical school quotas," and said, "We are willing to actively discuss if there are better ways to reduce regional medical gaps, fill the shortage of residents, and train medical scientists."

Minister Park also stated that no specific compromise on the scale of medical school quota expansion or detailed discussions about the recent high-profile strikes took place.

The Korean Medical Association also issued a press release after the meeting, stating, "Despite two hours of discussion, only the differences in positions were confirmed," and criticized, "We regret that the Ministry of Health and Welfare came to the meeting with the premise that policy withdrawal is impossible."

KMA Public Relations Director Kim Dae-ha said, "Starting from the 21st, collective actions such as the residents’ strike will begin sequentially, and the nationwide general strike by doctors scheduled for three days from the 26th will proceed as planned," adding, "We apologize to the public and ask for understanding and attention. While engaging in collective actions, we will express our stance safely."

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