Choi Dae-jip: "Government Work Commencement Order is an Unjust Law, Must Be Abolished"

Choi Dae-jip, President of the Korean Medical Association / Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Choi Dae-jip, president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), strongly opposed the government's work commencement order issued to residents and fellows who have launched an indefinite collective strike, calling it an evil law.

On the first day of the second general doctors' strike on the 26th, President Choi expressed this position through a KMA rally held on YouTube. He stated, "The government's work commencement order is an evil law that denies doctors' right to collective action," and added, "This unconstitutional law must be abolished through litigation."

Earlier, Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, ordered residents and fellows working at training hospitals in the Seoul metropolitan area, where COVID-19 is rapidly spreading, to immediately return to patient care during a briefing that morning.

If the work commencement order is not followed without justifiable reason, the individual may face license suspension, imprisonment of up to three years, or a fine of up to 30 million won. For medical personnel, if they receive a prison sentence or higher punishment for violating the Medical Service Act, it is recognized as a disqualification for medical personnel, and their license may be revoked.

Minister Park explained, "No reason can justify resolving issues at the expense of the lives and safety of the people," and added, "Protecting the lives and safety of the people is the government's top priority mission entrusted by the people, and the government must strictly fulfill this."

The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to file complaints against the KMA for violating the Fair Trade Act and take administrative actions based on the Medical Service Act in addition to the work commencement order. Regarding the movement to refuse the national exam by medical students, the ministry will strictly respond to collective actions by confirming the individuals involved and their intention to cancel, and processing exam cancellations accordingly.

President Choi stated, "If even one junior doctor who disobeys the government's work commencement order faces excessive administrative measures such as administrative sanctions or criminal charges, all members will strongly resist with an indefinite general strike." He added, "The KMA's legal team will spare no legal advice regarding measures such as the work commencement order or complaints to the Fair Trade Commission."

Meanwhile, President Choi also clarified his remarks on the government's statement that "an agreement was prepared to halt the KMA's policies on expanding medical school quotas and establishing public medical schools, but the Korean Intern and Resident Association reversed its position following a decision to continue the struggle," calling it regrettable. He said, "The agreement was only a proposal from the government and not a final agreement; it requires thorough internal review within the KMA. The Intern and Resident Association decided through a general assembly that they could not accept the government's proposal, and since many opinions indicated it was not yet an acceptable plan, no agreement was reached."

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