Lee Nak-yeon "Cannot Understand Doctors' 'Second General Strike'... Can Be Resolved Through Dialogue"

Lee Nak-yeon, candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea leader. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] On the 20th, Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, criticized the Korea Medical Association (KMA), which announced a "second general strike," saying, "It is hard to understand doctors going on a general strike at a time when the second wave of COVID-19 is about to spread."

Lee wrote on his Facebook on the same day, "Is there anything more important than the health and lives of the people?"

Earlier, on the 19th, the KMA demanded the withdrawal of the government's four major policies, including the expansion of medical school quotas and the establishment of public medical schools. They held talks with the Ministry of Health and Welfare but failed to achieve significant results, leading to the decision to hold a general strike.

Residents are scheduled to begin a phased strike starting on the 21st, and the KMA's second general strike is set to take place from the 26th to the 28th.

Regarding the KMA's decision to strike, Lee explained, "The demands of the KMA and residents are issues that can be resolved through dialogue," adding, "It is true that the need to strengthen public healthcare has become clearer through the COVID-19 crisis."

He also said, "There may be concerns from private practitioners due to excessive competition among local doctors," and added, "There can be various opinions for or against the policies, and I believe a consensus can be reached through dialogue."

He continued, "These issues concern the healthcare system to be discussed between the government and the medical community and have nothing to do with patients who need immediate treatment," attempting to appease.

Meanwhile, the KMA conducted the first collective medical suspension on the 14th. At that time, it was reported that 33% of clinic-level medical institutions participated in the suspension.

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