Park Neung-hoo "Legal Measures Will Be Taken Against Medical Community for Public Safety"

Minister Park: "Difficult to Understand Issues Due to Internal Communication Within Medical Organizations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] On the 27th, Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, maintained a firm stance regarding the medical community, which has been on strike for two days, stating, "We have no choice but to take necessary legal measures for the safety of the public."

At a meeting with university hospital directors held at the Korea Health Promotion Institute on the 27th, Minister Park said, "The government proposed to consider all possibilities regarding the expansion of medical school quotas and the establishment of public medical schools, and expressed its position to suspend these measures without any conditions until stability is achieved," adding, "Despite the government's proposal not to unilaterally push forward with policies first, both the Korean Medical Association and the Korean Intern Resident Association rejected all government mediation proposals."

Minister Park stated, "Although we were close to reaching an agreement, it is difficult to understand the subsequent issues caused by internal communication within the medical organizations," and added, "The government has no choice but to take necessary legal measures for the safety of the public."

He emphasized, "We cannot ignore the harm caused to patients whose surgeries for severe conditions are postponed or who cannot receive timely surgeries," and said, "Since the safety and protection of the public are the highest priorities, the government asks for understanding that it must strictly enforce these measures."

He continued, "We are now entering a new phase where strict and objective legal enforcement will be carried out, while also facing the situation of embracing young doctors and medical students," and requested, "I ask the medical community and the government to unite their efforts to overcome the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)."

Finally, Minister Park apologized, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the public who are going through difficult times due to COVID-19 for causing additional worries," and added, "The government will continue all efforts to prepare flawless medical measures so that those who are ill can receive the necessary treatment."

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