Second Day of Doctors' Strike, No Behind-the-Scenes Talks Between Government and Residents... 'Strong vs Strong' Intensifies (Comprehensive)

Residents opposing the government's expansion of medical school quotas are holding a 24-hour silent picket protest on the 23rd at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Central Medical Center in Seoul. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The medical community entered its second day of a collective strike (work stoppage) opposing the government's four major medical policies: expanding medical school quotas, establishing a public medical school, piloting insurance coverage for Korean herbal medicine prescriptions, and promoting telemedicine. Although opposition from residents and interns, who are the main force among young doctors, is intensifying, it is understood that there has been no behind-the-scenes dialogue between the two sides following the government's tough response through work commencement orders.

The government reiterated its plan to conduct focused on-site inspections mainly in emergency rooms and intensive care units of major hospitals to check whether residents have returned, and to take legal action if they have not. It is also considering expanding the work commencement orders, which were issued only to residents and fellows at training hospitals in the metropolitan area, nationwide. The Korean Intern and Resident Association (KIRA), which represents about 16,000 residents, has labeled the government's moves as "pressure," refusing to comply with the work commencement orders and maintaining collective action, signaling a more confrontational stance and deepening the "strong against strong" standoff.

Seo Jae-hyun, spokesperson for KIRA, said on the 27th, "There was no negotiation with the government yesterday (26th), and there is no scheduled meeting today either," adding, "Pressure has started mainly at hospitals where work commencement orders have been issued." He emphasized, "Our voices are not being reflected, and there is no channel to present our opinions. The dissatisfaction that had been building up over time exploded during the excessive policy implementation process and spilled outside the hospitals. We are not afraid or worried about the government's pressure."

"Cut off from the outside, accepting disadvantages vs. measures if non-compliance"

The residents have prepared detailed guidelines for collective action through an emergency response committee and decided not to comply with the government's work commencement orders. KIRA stated, "Whether the work commencement order has been acknowledged or just notified, we will not comply," and added, "The 16,000 residents will collectively bear and respond to any administrative orders and disadvantages resulting from this." They warned, "If even one resident suffers damage, Korea's healthcare will lose all 16,000 residents."

The KIRA Emergency Response Committee declared, "We will maintain picketing and collective actions," and "To maintain united strength without being swayed by external factors, residents will observe a 'blackout' in all daily activities." This means they will not answer any calls, including those from unknown numbers, as well as hospital landlines. In fact, residents agreed to follow hospital guidelines only until 10 p.m. the previous day and to act according to KIRA's joint guidelines thereafter.

On this day, they are conducting the "5th Young Doctors' Collective Action," where those willing submit resignation letters, and the COVID-19 treatment, which had been staffed by residents, will be converted to a volunteer basis. Spokesperson Seo said, "Submitting resignation letters is an expression of individual will and is being done voluntarily," adding, "Almost all have submitted resignation letters since the work commencement orders were issued." Residents have also decided to refuse specialist qualification exams and intern exams. They agreed to accept additional training due to incomplete mandatory intern courses and insufficient residency training days.

Kim Hyun-sook, Director of Medical Resource Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "Most of the striking residents are avoiding receipt of the orders by turning off their mobile phones and not answering calls," adding, "In such cases, we are taking measures to deliver the orders through hospital officials and other means stipulated in the Administrative Procedures Act."

She added, "Submitting resignation letters is also regarded as a form of collective action in precedent cases," and "Even if resignation letters are submitted, work commencement orders can be issued, and if there is non-compliance, corresponding measures will be taken."

Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, is answering reporters' questions related to the collective strike by medical organizations during the regular COVID-19 response briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the morning of the 27th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

"Withdraw or negotiate the four major medical policies vs. refusal to accept 'blanket cancellation' demands"

The residents demand that the government's plans to expand medical school quotas and establish a public medical school "be halted or withdrawn," and that "when re-discussed, it should be from the beginning or the starting point, with consultations including the Korean Intern and Resident Association, the Korean Medical Association, and the medical community."

Regarding the pilot project for insurance coverage of Korean herbal medicine prescriptions and medical unification, they stated, "Parts related to Korean medicine should undergo thorough evaluation and analysis through scientific verification before the pilot insurance coverage project is implemented," and "Medical unification should never be discussed until the medical community reaches an agreement, considering its side effects."

On telemedicine, although non-face-to-face treatment was exceptionally implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, they hold the position that its promotion after the end of COVID-19 requires consultation with the medical community, considering side effects and impacts on the medical sector. Additionally, they argue that proposals for improving residency training environments and addressing avoidance of certain specialties and regional imbalances should be reviewed by the residents' association and discussed with various medical community members through a committee related to health and medical development plans.

Spokesperson Seo said, "Even though all medical acts have been insured and covered, the amount the country supports for departments responsible for essential medical care is less than what is spent on medical acts," adding, "From the hospital's perspective, if they cannot generate revenue elsewhere, they cannot maintain those departments." He continued, "If the country values such noble work directly related to life so lowly, who would support those departments?" and insisted, "To foster essential medical fields, at least the cost of medical acts should be covered."

Son Young-rae, Strategic Planning Team Leader at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "The residents' association is requesting the government to declare that it will 'cancel and withdraw all policies,'" but drew a line, saying, "These policies have been discussed and developed through other social consultative bodies or channels with stakeholders, the National Assembly, academia, and civil society. It is difficult to accept a declaration to abandon these and start anew."

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