"COVID-19 Spreading... Strike at the Expense of Public Health?" Citizens Outraged Over Doctors' Strike

Medical Community to Begin 'Group Strike' from 21st and '2nd General Strike' from 26th to 28th
Opposition to '4 Major Policies' Including Medical School Quota Expansion
Some Citizens Say "Cannot Support Strike Holding Public Health Hostage"

Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] The Korea Medical Association (KMA), opposing the government's plan to increase medical school quotas, has announced a second general strike from the 26th to the 28th. Residents (interns and residents) will begin an indefinite collective work stoppage on the 21st. Some citizens have expressed concerns about gaps in medical care amid the second wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) due to this decision.

According to multiple media reports, the KMA held talks with the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 19th, demanding the withdrawal of the 'four major policies,' including the expansion of medical school quotas and the establishment of public medical schools promoted by the government, but failed to achieve significant results, leading to the decision to strike.

The Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA) announced that it will begin an indefinite strike by year starting on the 21st. It is reported that all residents will suspend work over three days: interns and fourth-year residents on the 21st, third-year residents on the 22nd, and first- and second-year residents on the 23rd.

As disruptions in medical care are expected to be inevitable, criticism has arisen from political circles and citizens alike, arguing that considering the serious spread of COVID-19, this decision should not have been made.

Office worker Kim (28, female) said, "I fully understand the reasons for opposition, but deciding to strike when the daily average number of confirmed cases exceeds 300 is like demanding conditions at the expense of public lives," adding, "I hope they reflect on why they wanted to become doctors in the first place."

Housewife Park (58, female) said, "The government is strongly rejecting doctors' demands, but ultimately, the citizens who need medical care suffer," and added, "Negotiations should be conducted swiftly to prevent any gaps in medical services."

Medical staff moving within the hospital. Photo is unrelated to the article content. Photo by Yonhap News.

Comments expressing concern about the timing of the strike amid the resurgence of COVID-19 have been posted on articles covering the medical community's strike.

One netizen criticized, "Is declaring a strike while leaving patients unattended the justice doctors talk about? It looks like collective selfishness."

Another netizen, who revealed she is pregnant, said, "I had a hospital appointment, and after a long wait due to the professor's strike, I was finally able to receive treatment," adding, "There may be various reasons and issues behind the strike, but it is hard to justify leaving patients neglected."

Another netizen emphasized, "Deciding to strike during a time when medical staff are already short-handed, using public health as a hostage, was reckless," and urged, "Negotiations with the government should ensure that the public does not suffer."

The political sphere has also pointed out the timing of this strike.

Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party of Korea's party leader candidate, expressed on the 20th that he could not understand the doctors' decision to hold a general strike.

In a post on his Facebook that day, Lee said, "Is there anything more important than the health and lives of the people right now?" and added, "It is hard to understand doctors holding a general strike at a time when COVID-19 is on the verge of a second large wave."

He further explained, "The demands of the KMA and residents are issues that can be resolved through dialogue," and "It is true that the need to strengthen public healthcare has become clearer through the COVID-19 crisis."

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

On the 13th, a paper hand placard with a slogan from the Korean Intern Resident Association was placed at the Korean Medical Association in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, KIRA has reportedly stated that, separate from collective actions, it will do its best to support COVID-19 prevention efforts. Even after starting the indefinite strike on the 21st, they plan to actively participate in places requiring quarantine personnel, such as screening clinics, in close cooperation with local governments.

It is also reported that medical staff working in emergency rooms and intensive care units often remain at hospitals, so major confusion is not expected.

KIRA emphasizes the need for reconsideration, stating that the voices of the medical field were not reflected in government policies such as the expansion of medical school quotas and the establishment of public medical schools. They plan to pursue submitting resignation letters after the indefinite strike.

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