Medical Administration "Engaged in Sincere Dialogue" but Differences Remain... Strike Likely to Proceed on the 26th

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Choi Dae-jip, President of the Korea Medical Association, met on the 24th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and bumped fists. Earlier, the Medical Association announced a second general strike for three days starting on the 26th, demanding the government withdraw its policy to increase medical school quotas. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The medical association, which has opposed the government's healthcare policies such as the expansion of medical school quotas, met with Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on the 24th for a dialogue but ended without narrowing their differences. However, unlike their previous 'strong against strong' confrontations, both sides confirmed their willingness to engage in dialogue, drawing attention to whether the planned collective strike on the 26th will be called off.

At the meeting, the government side was represented by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo, while the Korean Medical Association was represented by Chairman Choi Dae-jip and others. Before the meeting, Prime Minister Chung said, "If the Medical Association proceeds with the collective strike, patients will be fearful and the public will be anxious," adding, "We will seriously discuss healthcare policy issues with the medical community in an open manner."

The Medical Association has defined the government's policies?expansion of medical school quotas, establishment of public medical schools, coverage of herbal medicine, and promotion of telemedicine?as the 'four major evils' of healthcare policy and has demanded their withdrawal. The government has made it clear that while these policies can be temporarily postponed, they cannot be withdrawn. Chairman Choi had previously met with Minister Park Neung-hoo on the 19th to exchange views, but at that time, the differences over policy withdrawal were so significant that proper discussions could not take place.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun (far left) is meeting with Chairman Choi Dae-jip of the Korean Medical Association and other association officials at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 24th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Medical Association requested that Prime Minister Chung or political authorities intervene as discussions with the Ministry of Health and Welfare had stalled, and the meeting with Prime Minister Chung was arranged against this backdrop. The government also agreed to meet, keeping all possibilities open, given the recent serious situation with the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

During the dialogue, both sides agreed on the need to coordinate their opinions but failed to find concrete common ground or reach any significant conclusions. Minister Park Neung-hoo said, "It seems we shared the intention to resolve the situation as soon as possible," adding, "There was a positive discussion." Chairman Choi stated, "We agreed to discuss specific details between the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Medical Association's working-level officials," and "We had a frank and sincere conversation."

However, it appears highly likely that the planned collective strike on the 26th will proceed as scheduled. The Medical Association demands policy withdrawal as a prerequisite for dialogue, while the government firmly maintains that policy withdrawal is absolutely unacceptable. Chairman Choi conveyed that no narrowing of differences has occurred yet and that the collective strike planned for the 26th will proceed as things currently stand.

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