[Breaking] KMA: "Ministry of Health Avoiding Responsibility... General Strike as Scheduled"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] The Korean Medical Association (KMA) criticized the government's announcement to temporarily suspend the policy of expanding medical school quotas and establishing a public medical school as "untrustworthy political rhetoric."

Kim Dae-ha, spokesperson for the KMA, stated, "They have neither presented a clear standard for the end of COVID-19 nor taken responsibility, instead using the vague expression 'stabilization of the metropolitan area' to evade accountability."

He added, "It seems the government is leaving room to resume the policy soon by proposing a suspension instead of the policy withdrawal that doctors desire," and "Unless there is a change in the government's stance, doctors will proceed with collective action as planned."

The Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), composed of residents, began an indefinite strike starting with interns and fourth-year residents on the 21st, followed by third-year residents on the 22nd, and first- and second-year residents on the 23rd, sequentially ceasing work.

The KMA, led mainly by private practitioners, will launch the second nationwide doctors' strike for three days starting from the 26th.

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