Choi Dae-jip, President of the Korean Medical Association, "Strike Continues Despite Government Pressure... We Must Unite"

"One Year of Government's Medical School Quota Increase Policy Without a Single Discussion with the Korean Medical Association"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] The Korean Medical Association (KMA) urged doctors to unite and vowed to continue the general strike on the 27th, the second day of the second doctors' general strike, despite the government's work commencement order and the Fair Trade Commission's indictment measures.

On the 27th, KMA President Choi Dae-jip sent a letter to members, stating, "Now, when government pressure is intensifying, is the most critical moment," and urged, "Please never let go of the bonds of trust and solidarity." President Choi said, "Despite many members, including residents, professors, private practitioners, and employed doctors, clearly expressing their protest against the government's unilateral policy push with firm determination, the government is instead pressuring doctors with work commencement orders and Fair Trade Commission indictments."

He said, "Now, the life of doctors in the Republic of Korea is subject to control and management from the moment they obtain their license to the extent that we have to use the self-deprecating term 'public goods,'" adding, "Due to the compulsory designation system of health insurance, doctors must provide treatment within the framework of health insurance regardless of their will and have no right to refuse."

He continued, "Health insurance policies must be followed as decided by the skewed Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee," explaining, "If fee negotiations break down, the committee decides on the matter and may even apply penalties for failed negotiations." He also lamented, "Residents are subjects managed by the government’s service control, and doctors must follow treatment orders. Even resigning from a hospital is impossible if the government blocks it."

President Choi criticized, "The government’s stance is that withdrawing the increase in medical school quotas is impossible because it ignores the results of discussions with 'all other stakeholders,'" pointing out, "They mention stakeholders such as civic groups, the hospital sector, and academia advocating for public healthcare expansion, but they have never asked the opinions of doctors, the largest stakeholders on the ground." He explained that the government has never discussed this policy with the KMA during the one year of its promotion.

He said, "In Korea’s health and medical administration, we are thorough objects and others," adding, "We must follow orders, are not even given the opportunity to voice opinions when things go wrong, and when we raise our voices together, we are trapped in a frame of criticism accusing us of holding the public hostage, becoming a lonely echo."

He added, "The Fair Trade Commission has been investigating at the association’s temporary office since yesterday and continues today," noting, "During the 2014 strike to block telemedicine, the association was fined 500 million won, and the then president and related executives were prosecuted, but the court did not recognize this."

President Choi emphasized, "Doctors’ collective actions are not unfair collusion affecting the market," and stressed, "Despite being proven by excessive prosecutions and their outcomes, the government’s repeated measures aim to pressure us." He also said, "Korea’s health and medical administration itself is 'unfair trade,' yet we feel devastated facing the government accusing us of violating the Fair Trade Act."

As the struggle intensifies, President Choi urged unity around the KMA, warning that various attempts to amplify misunderstandings and induce division among members, professions, and affiliated organizations are emerging. He added, "This struggle is not simply to block four policies," and said, "It is a crucial fight to decide whether doctors will continue to be used and controlled as mere 'tools' to thoroughly support and maintain Korean healthcare as they have so far, or whether they will become clear subjects and respected partners of the government in healthcare policy formation."

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