KMA: "10 Reported Doctors Are in Essential Medical Fields... Feeling Devastated"

Joint Statement from Six Specialized Medical Societies Including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics and Adolescents, and Neurosurgery

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the government has filed charges against 10 residents who participated in a collective strike, the Korean Medical Association (KMA) stated, "The doctors who have been charged are young doctors in essential medical fields," and claimed, "The government is undermining essential medical care."

On the 1st, the KMA held an emergency meeting with six specialized medical societies, including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics and adolescent medicine, neurosurgery, thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, and emergency medicine, urging, "The government must immediately stop the unfair suppression of young doctors and reconsider the four policies opposed by the medical community from the ground up."

In a joint statement, they explained, "The 10 doctors who were charged for not complying with the work commencement order are residents and fellows in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics and adolescent medicine, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, and emergency medicine?young doctors in essential medical fields that the government claims it will supplement by increasing the number of medical personnel."

They continued, "Due to the nature of essential medical care, which stands countless times at the crossroads of patients' lives, these individuals have been doing their best every day with a heavier sense of responsibility and sincerity than anyone else. Yet, because they are doctors in fields directly related to patients' lives, they have become targets of forced work orders, and worse, they have been charged without even verifying the exact facts for not complying with these orders, effectively delivering a death sentence to essential medical care in this country."

They also lamented, "In such a situation, who would willingly choose to specialize in internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics and adolescent medicine, neurosurgery, thoracic surgery, or emergency medicine?" and added, "Even other residents and fellows in these fields cannot help but feel deep despair and profound skepticism upon witnessing this shocking scene."

They concluded, "Essential medical care, which has supported healthcare in the Republic of Korea, is collapsing under the government's oppressive crackdown," and warned, "The indiscriminate charges were momentary, but the adverse effects and aftershocks will continue going forward."

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