Fair Trade Commission Conducts On-site Investigation of Medical Association's Total Strike Enforcement

Possible Imposition of a 500 Million KRW Fine for Violations of the Fair Trade Act

The Fair Trade Commission began an investigation on the 26th into the Korea Medical Association (KMA), which forcibly carried out a second general strike in opposition to the policy of expanding the quota for medical schools. This is due to suspicions of violations of the Fair Trade Act.

On the same day around 2 p.m., the Fair Trade Commission conducted an on-site investigation at the KMA's temporary office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Previously, the Ministry of Health and Welfare had reported the KMA for suspected violations of the Fair Trade Act, including cartel activities. Through a briefing, the Ministry stated, "We have reported the KMA, which planned and promoted a collective strike by medical institutions including private practitioners, for cartel and other violations of the Fair Trade Act, and will also carry out administrative measures based on the Medical Service Act."

This is based on the Fair Trade Act, which prohibits business associations from unfairly restricting the activities of individual businesses belonging to the association. The Ministry of Health and Welfare explained that the KMA's decision to carry out a collective strike and its implementation constitute an 'unfair restrictive act.' The Fair Trade Commission previously judged that the KMA violated the Fair Trade Act with 'unfair restrictive acts' during the 2000 medical separation strike and the 2014 strike opposing telemedicine. If the Fair Trade Commission concludes that this strike also violates the Fair Trade Act, it may impose a fine of 500 million won on the KMA.

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