Medical Community Strike: Divergent Reactions from Ruling and Opposition Parties

Lee Hae-chan "KMA cannot be seen as a union but as a strike"
Kim Jong-in "Must abandon the idea of enforcing policies with just power and will"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The political circle expressed concerns about the collective medical strike and issued messages criticizing the government.

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 26th, "The government will respond to the collective actions of doctors and medical students based on the principle of prioritizing public health and lives," warning, "If doctors lose the trust of patients and the public due to this strike, it will result in greater disadvantages for them."

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

He added, "The Korean Medical Association (KMA) is not a labor union, so this cannot be considered a strike. I hope they comply with the government’s order to resume work." Earlier, Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, issued the order to resume work at 8 a.m. that day.

Lee said, "To overcome the wave of COVID-19, the quarantine authorities, local governments, medical staff, and the public must all unite as one," and added, "Everyone has their own circumstances and thoughts, but given the emergency situation, I ask for full cooperation to overcome the crisis first."

On the other hand, Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, criticized the government’s response, saying, "We must abandon the idea that policies can be enforced solely with power and will." At the emergency committee chair and senior lawmakers meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Kim said, "Is there any issue more important than overcoming COVID-19 right now? Establishing a public medical university is not an urgent task."

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee Chairman-Senior Lawmakers Meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th, delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He continued, "One might think that nothing is impossible with power and will, but in human society, not everything can be solved by power and will alone," adding, "I hope the government and the Korean Medical Association make a concession and focus their efforts on overcoming COVID-19 first."

After the meeting, Kim told reporters regarding the government’s tough stance, "Isn’t this the time when medical professionals should be fully committed to overcoming COVID-19?" and said, "It is doubtful that COVID-19 can be overcome by placing the government and the medical community in an adversarial relationship."

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