Prime Minister Jeong: "Deep Regret Over Residents Neglecting Patients... Will Respond According to Law and Principles"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun expressed deep regret on the 30th over the decision by the Resident Doctors' Council to turn their backs on patients suffering at the crossroads of life and death.

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office that day, Prime Minister Chung said, "As the Resident Doctors' Council continues its work stoppage, patients are suffering sacrifices in medical sites."

He added, "To protect the lives and safety of the people, we have no choice but to respond according to laws and principles," and strongly urged, "Even now, the Resident Doctors' Council should withdraw the work stoppage and come to the dialogue table."

He continued, "Starting tomorrow, a public-private joint 'Work Stoppage Damage Report and Support Center' will be operated to receive complaints from patients affected by this collective strike and to provide medical and legal consultations," and instructed, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare and related ministries should actively inform the public about the support center and make thorough preparations to ensure no inconvenience to users."

The Resident Doctors' Council, which has been conducting an indefinite collective strike since the 21st, decided to continue the collective action after a re-vote by the Emergency Measures Committee on this day. Senior residents have also joined the strike. As of the 28th, the strike rate reached 75.8% for residents and 35.9% for senior residents. Medical students have refused the national exam in September and even started a solidarity leave of absence.

Prime Minister Chung said, "From today, enhanced quarantine measures stronger than social distancing level 2 are being implemented in the metropolitan area," and mentioned, "There will be many restrictions on places closely related to daily life such as restaurants, cafes, academies, and indoor sports facilities, causing great inconvenience to the public."

He also said, "As this is the last measure to avoid moving to level 3, which corresponds to a 'shutdown,' I earnestly request the active participation and cooperation of the public until next weekend," emphasizing, "Whether this measure is effective depends on implementation on the ground."

He then ordered, "Each ministry should cooperate with quarantine authorities and local governments to make every effort throughout the week to enhance on-site implementation in their respective areas."

Prime Minister Chung also said, "There was a recent case where a person concealed attendance at a Liberation Day rally and delayed testing for a week, only to be diagnosed positive late," adding, "As a result, the school attended by their child was closed, and about 1,800 colleagues and others had to be tested."

He continued, "One person's lie caused enormous social costs and innocent people are paying a high price," and added, "The government will strictly hold legal responsibility for acts that obstruct epidemiological investigations, including filing complaints, recovering treatment costs, and claiming damages, to prevent similar cases from happening again."

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