Park Neung-hoo "Strict Response to Medical Community's Collective Action Endangering Public Life" (Update)

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo is delivering an emergency government response statement regarding the Korean Medical Association's collective strike at the briefing room of the Government Seoul Office Building on the morning of the 26th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] On the 26th, Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, expressed deep regret over the Korea Medical Association and the Korean Intern Resident Association's decision to reject the government's mediation proposal and proceed with a collective strike, stating, "The government has no choice but to take necessary legal measures such as work commencement orders to prevent risks to the lives and safety of the public."

At a briefing held at the Government Seoul Office Building that morning, Minister Park said, "No reason can justify resolving issues at the expense of the lives and safety of the people," adding, "Protecting the lives and safety of the people is the government's top priority mission entrusted by the public, and the government must strictly fulfill this duty."

Starting at 8 a.m. that day, Minister Park ordered residents and fellows working at training hospitals in the metropolitan area to immediately return to patient care duties. This measure is based on Article 59 of the Medical Service Act, which states that if there is a significant risk or potential risk to public health, necessary guidance and orders can be issued to medical institutions or medical personnel. Violations may result in imprisonment for up to three years, fines up to 30 million won, license suspension for up to one year, or license revocation.

Minister Park reiterated, "I would like to emphasize once again that the government must respond strictly to any illegal acts occurring during collective actions," and added, "Amid the crisis of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the government plans to respond more strictly than ever to any collective actions that jeopardize the lives and safety of the people."

Along with the work commencement order, the Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to file complaints against the Medical Association for violating the Fair Trade Act and impose administrative sanctions based on the Medical Service Act. Regarding the movement to refuse the national medical licensing examination by medical students, the ministry will confirm individual participation and cancellation intentions before processing exam cancellations.

Minister Park stated, "In this severe situation of COVID-19 spread, there is neither time nor room to waste energy on unnecessary conflicts," and urged, "Medical organizations must immediately stop collective actions that cause suffering to the public, maintain their respective roles in treating patients, and resolve issues through dialogue with the government."

Meanwhile, nationwide doctors opposing government medical policies such as expanding medical school quotas and establishing public medical schools have decided to begin a three-day collective strike from the 26th to the 28th. Considering the domestic resurgence of COVID-19, the government conducted behind-the-scenes negotiations with the Medical Association until early morning that day but failed to reach an agreement to withdraw the collective action.

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