President Moon's Controversy Over 'Dividing Doctors and Nurses' Expands

Ha Tae-kyung "It's too much even if you keep sowing discord among the people"

President Moon Jae-in is adjusting his glasses after finishing his remarks at the Senior Secretary and Aide Meeting held at the Blue House on the 31st of last month.

Controversy is spreading over President Moon Jae-in's 'nurse encouragement' message on the 2nd. The message was intended to encourage nurses, whose workload has increased due to the doctors' strike amid the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), but criticism is growing that it is 'dividing' doctors and nurses.

Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the Future United Party (People Power Party), claimed on Facebook that day, "President Moon is sowing discord among the people excessively," and "He is inciting internal conflict between doctors and nurses by opposing the Moon Jae-in administration's medical policies."

He said, "Doctors and nurses are one team," adding, "Hospitals would have to close if there were only nurses, and hospitals with only doctors without nurses cannot exist." He continued, "However, during the COVID-19 emergency, the president posted a message that sows discord and incites fights between doctors and nurses," and questioned, "Does President Moon want to become a third-rate president by choosing to divide doctors and nurses instead of uniting them?"

Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson for the United Party, also commented verbally that day, saying, "Did he order nurses to wage a proxy war against doctors?" and "After dividing doctors and nurses, who does he intend to turn into the next enemy?"

She particularly took issue with the part where President Moon expressed, "During the recent heatwave, heartbreaking news that medical staff who could not take off their protective suits were collapsing moved the hearts of the people. Although referred to as medical staff, the public knows well that most of them were nurses." Spokesperson Kim criticized, "The president divides the devoted 'medical staff'?even those three short syllables?into language that causes division between doctors and nurses."

Below is the full text of President Moon Jae-in's SNS message on the 2nd.

< 9/2(Wed) President Moon Jae-in SNS Message >

I extend my deep gratitude and respect to the nurses who are silently guarding the medical sites abandoned by doctors including residents. Fighting a long battle with COVID-19 must be difficult and challenging, and now you have to bear the burden caused by the doctors' prolonged strike. How hard and difficult it must be for you.

Moreover, as the medical service gap grows and patients' inconveniences increase, you also have to endure criticism and verbal abuse. Thinking of the nurses who suffer from poor working conditions, increased workload, and emotional labor, I feel very sorry.

During the recent heatwave, heartbreaking news that medical staff who could not take off their protective suits at outdoor screening clinics were collapsing moved the hearts of the people. Although referred to as medical staff, the public knows well that most of them were nurses.

Do not lose courage and please hold on a little longer. I also heard that singer IU donated ice vests. That is right. Always remember that the people are always by the side of the nurses who steadfastly protect patients and overcome difficulties.

The government will seek ways to alleviate the difficulties of nurses even a little. We will do our best to support expanding nursing personnel, improving working conditions, and enhancing treatment. We will promptly take immediate actions such as increasing nursing staff at public hospitals on the front lines of COVID-19 prevention.

Dear nurses, thank you. We love you.

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