Medical Community "Policy Withdrawal" vs Government "Cannot Withdraw... Postponement Possible"… Strike Likely to Prolong

Demand to Withdraw Medical Policy Including Expansion of Medical School Quotas
Government: "Unilateral Request for Cancellation Difficult to Accept"
Possibility of Negotiation Open After Policy Suspension

On the 21st, a resident training at a general hospital, including interns and residents, staged a one-person protest in front of the main building of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, opposing the government's policy to increase the quota of medical school students. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The government has clearly stated that it cannot accept the medical community's demand to withdraw medical policies such as the expansion of medical school quotas. Since there is no possibility of narrowing the gap in opinions regarding the basic premise for finding common ground between the government and the medical community, namely the withdrawal of the policy, the collective actions of the medical groups are expected to continue for a long time.

Son Young-rae, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said in an online briefing on the 21st, "The issue of expanding medical school quotas has been discussed for a long time and is a policy formed through discussions with the medical community," adding, "Demanding the withdrawal of the policy means the policy itself would be nullified." He emphasized, "Requesting unilateral cancellation would undermine the social consensus built so far, so it is difficult to accept this from the perspective of respecting social discussions."

Son Young-rae, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Welfare

However, he indicated that if the medical community stops the strike and engages in dialogue with the government, the policy could be temporarily suspended during the discussion period. Spokesperson Son said, "Considering the recent serious situation, if the policy implementation is postponed and the medical community also refrains from collective action, we can keep all possibilities open and engage in dialogue."

In response, the Korea Medical Association reiterated its previous stance, stating, "If the government withdraws the 'four major evil' medical policies including the expansion of medical school quotas, establishment of public medical schools, pilot project for herbal medicine coverage, and promotion of non-face-to-face medical care, the strike will be temporarily suspended." In a public statement released that day, the association emphasized, "The government's failure to acknowledge the lack of communication and cooperation during the policy implementation process and refusal to accept the medical community's call to cooperate with the Korea Medical Association to fully respond to COVID-19 are unacceptable."

The Resident Association, composed of young doctors such as interns and residents, carried out their third collective action on this day, following actions on the 7th and 14th. From this day forward, they began an indefinite strike without setting an end date. The Korea Medical Association has also announced a nationwide doctors' general strike scheduled for three days starting on the 26th.

President Choi Dae-jip of the Korean Medical Association is delivering a public address on the 21st.

Government "Medical Service Commencement Order Possible"... Actual Enforcement Under Review
Cautious Stance on Punishing Doctors Engaged in Collective Action

Amid the worsening spread of COVID-19, the government has kept open the possibility of issuing medical service commencement orders under relevant laws to prevent harm to the public caused by doctors' strikes, as well as the possibility of punishing doctors who participate in collective actions. Although no specific deadline has been set for negotiations, the government said it will first try to find common ground within feasible limits. Kim Guk-il, Director of Health and Medical Policy, said, "The medical service commencement order is stipulated in the Medical Service Act, Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, Emergency Medical Service Act, etc.," adding, "I introduced the legal provisions, but we are still considering whether to actually issue the order."

Spokesperson Son added, "The medical service commencement order includes penalties such as suspension or revocation of doctors' licenses, so the government hopes to avoid any harm caused by this," and said, "Our current response is that we want to reach an agreement with the medical community as much as possible so that we do not have to use such legal procedures."

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