Daegu Medical School Professors Stage Simultaneous 'Picket Protests'... Government Investigates Resident Doctors' Working Conditions

Ministry of Health and Welfare Launches Survey on Resident Doctors' Working Conditions in Daegu Hospitals
Medical Staff Hold Silent Protests Throughout Lobbies of Kyungpook National, Keimyung, and Yeungnam University Hospitals

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Dong-wook] As the government begins investigating the working conditions of residents who have launched a collective strike, medical school professors in the Daegu area have simultaneously started a picket protest campaign.

At around 10 a.m. on the 31st, 79 professors at Kyungpook National University Hospital wore black masks and stood in two lines in the first-floor lobby of the main hospital, silently holding picket signs. The signs bore four types of messages: "The four evil laws pushed through during the COVID-19 crisis," "Revocation of residents' licenses for one day of strike," "Unclear herbal medicine coverage from hard-earned health insurance," and "Public medical schools driven by regional selfishness wasting taxpayers' money."

Kim Sang-geol, chairman of the Kyungpook National University Medical School Professors' Association (professor of surgery at Chilgok Kyungpook National University Hospital), stated, "It is justifiable for residents to raise issues against pushing through flawed policies by illegitimate means despite many anticipated problems," and emphasized, "If any punishment is imposed on the residents, we will unite with all universities nationwide and do everything possible within legal limits."

The Kyungpook National University Hospital explained that the professors participating in the silent picket protest were those not scheduled for clinical duties that day. During the picket protest, two officials from the Ministry of Health and Welfare visited Kyungpook National University Hospital around 11 a.m. along with one official from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. They had also visited the hospital's education training office and clinical administration department, the main departments for residents, on the 28th to collect related materials.

Upon news that the Ministry of Health and Welfare was conducting an investigation into the collective strike of residents at Kyungpook National University Hospital, about 60 professors gathered at the emergency room and intensive care unit of Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital around the same time to participate in a picket protest. In addition to the signs held by Kyungpook National University medical school professors, there was an added message: "Is this country normal where giving up training leads to accusations?"

Yeungnam University Hospital is also reportedly planning for all professors to participate in a protest at 2 p.m., coinciding with the scheduled visit by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Ministry has also announced plans to conduct on-site inspections of residents at Yeungnam University Hospital and Daegu Catholic University Hospital that afternoon.

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