Seoul National University Hospital Fellows Enter Strike... Will It Trigger a 'Big 5' Strike?

"Symbolism of National University Hospitals is Strong... Pressure from Hospitals Also Plays a Role"

On the 21st, medical residents training at general hospitals, including interns and residents, went on strike in opposition to the government's policy to increase the quota of medical school students. A medical resident is holding a solo protest in front of the main building of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Full-time fellows at Seoul National University Hospital abruptly launched an indefinite strike on the 24th, demanding the withdrawal of government policies such as increasing the medical school quota. With full-time fellows at national university hospitals leading the strike, attention is focused on whether the strike will expand to full-time fellows at tertiary hospitals known as the 'Big 5.'

The Seoul National University Hospital Full-time Fellows Council stated in a press release on the day, "To improve the flaws in the government's four major medical policies, we are joining the indefinite strike of residents starting today," adding, "Seoul National University Hospital, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, and Boramae Hospital have also begun collective action."

According to the Full-time Fellows Council, about 300 full-time fellows affiliated with three hospitals, including Seoul National University Hospital, began the indefinite strike from 7 a.m. that day.

Seoul National University Hospital and Bundang Seoul National University Hospital are conducting one-person picket promotions criticizing the government's four major medical policies in front of each hospital's lobby, and each hospital is running a blood donation relay campaign to supply blood that may be insufficient due to the COVID-19 situation.

The Full-time Fellows Council said, "We are carrying out collective action to contribute even a little to improving the four major medical policies where the public's tax money could be misused," and added, "We hope to support medical students and residents' actions and encourage participation from other specialists."

The medical industry is paying close attention to whether the strike by full-time fellows at Seoul National University Hospital will lead to strikes by full-time fellows at other tertiary hospitals such as Seoul Asan Medical Center, Samsung Seoul Hospital, and Seoul St. Mary's Hospital. So far, the participation rate of full-time fellows at tertiary hospitals known as the Big 5 has been low.

An official from a tertiary hospital said, "Seoul National University Hospital has symbolic significance as a national university hospital, so it is highly likely to influence the actions of full-time fellows at other hospitals in the future," adding, "On the 14th, Seoul National University Hospital sent text messages to residents, including interns and residents, urging them to stay at the hospital on the day of the strike and pressured them by threatening disadvantages if they left, which likely contributed to the backlash from residents and full-time fellows."

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