Daejeon Association "Collective Strike Continues"... Ruling Party "Doubtful if They Consider the People"

On the 26th, when the second general strike in the medical sector began, a fellow doctor was seen picketing at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] Ruling party lawmakers have urged the medical community, which has launched a collective strike in protest against the government's expansion of medical personnel quotas and the establishment of public medical schools, to halt the strike. Their strike coincides with the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), raising concerns about medical service gaps.

On the 31st, Yeom Tae-young, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said in an interview with YTN Radio's 'Start New Morning,' "It is very regrettable that the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA) decided to refuse medical treatment," adding, "I am concerned whether those leading the medical community's refusal to provide treatment have at least the public's interest in mind during dialogue and negotiations."

He continued, "I believe doctors should be by the patients' side," but also stated, "However, I earnestly request the doctors and will engage in multifaceted dialogue to ask them to return to the field to fulfill their calling, and at the same time, we will continue negotiations."

Assemblywoman Han Jeong-ae (Chair of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee) also expressed regret toward the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), saying, "It is not really about demanding a complete withdrawal of the policy."

On the same day, on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' Assemblywoman Han said, "Issues such as resolving regional disparities in medical services, strengthening essential medical care, and expanding public healthcare are problems that must be continuously addressed regardless of which administration is in power," adding, "I believe that saying these policies should not be implemented at all is a view held by a minority."

Earlier, KIRA announced on the 29th that after an overnight meeting and a re-vote, they decided to continue the strike. Although the proposal to continue the strike initially failed to secure a majority quorum, in the re-vote, 134 out of 186 members voted in favor of continuing the strike, deciding to maintain the collective strike on the 30th.

Assemblywoman Han referred to the decision-making process behind the collective strike, saying, "They (the interns and residents) have obtained everything they wanted," and added, "It would be appropriate to ask the members for their final opinion on the last negotiation proposal and decide the leadership's resignation accordingly, but the situation was somewhat oddly resolved."

Assemblywoman Go Min-jung emphasized on the 30th via her social networking service (SNS) that the collective strike should be stopped considering the COVID-19 situation.

In a post on her Facebook that day, Assemblywoman Go stated, "Despite the government's several concessions to keep all possibilities open for negotiation, KIRA announced they would proceed with the collective strike," criticizing, "We appeal that the collective strike is not right, but they do not listen."

She added, "KIRA is merely demanding the government to surrender unconditionally," and said, "The reason we have called doctors 'Doctor' carries a meaning of gratitude as they are our benefactors who protect our lives. I sincerely hope that the last thread of trust will not be broken."

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