Medical Community Collective Strike, 'Lack of Sympathy' 55.2% vs 'Sympathy' 38.6%

- Sympathy for Doctor Group Strike: 'Disagree' 55.2% vs 'Agree' 38.6%
- Sympathy for Government Agreement Documentation Demand: 'Appropriate Demand' 45.0% vs 'Excessive Demand' 40.7%
- Sympathy for Government Resolution Direction on Doctor Group Strike: 'Sufficient' 46.0% vs 'Insufficient' 43.4%

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Public opinion opposing the collective strike by medical residents against the government's healthcare policies, including the establishment of public medical schools, was found to be more prevalent than supportive opinion. However, opinions were evenly divided regarding the appropriateness of the medical associations' demand for documentation of the agreement and the government's approach to resolving the issue.

According to a survey conducted by Realmeter on June 1-2 at the request of 'OhmyNews' (survey target: 13,031 people, respondents: 1,000, response rate: 7.7%, margin of error: ±3.1 percentage points at 95% confidence level), 55.2% responded with 'non-support' while 38.6% responded with 'support,' the results were announced on the 3rd.

By region, Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam showed a higher rate of 'non-support' responses (62.3% vs. 29.5%), followed by Gyeonggi and Incheon (55.3% vs. 39.9%), and Seoul (53.9% vs. 43.2%). In Gwangju and Jeolla, 'non-support' was 58.0% and 'support' was 26.2%, indicating relatively more respondents did not sympathize with the medical associations' strike, although the 'don't know' response was 15.8%, higher than in other regions. In Daegu and Gyeongbuk, opinions were closely split (49.7% vs. 44.3%).

By age group, 'non-support' responses were also predominant, especially among those in their 40s (61.7% vs. 33.0%). This was followed by those in their 20s (58.8% vs. 37.4%), 30s (58.5% vs. 38.3%), and 50s (56.7% vs. 37.9%). Among those in their 60s, opinions were evenly divided with 47.5% 'non-support' and 49.4% 'support.' For those aged 70 and above, 'non-support' responses were slightly higher at 42.9% compared to 37.7% 'support.'

By ideological inclination, the progressive group showed 78.0% 'non-support' and 15.5% 'support,' whereas the conservative group showed 39.6% 'non-support' and 58.9% 'support,' displaying a contrasting pattern. Among moderates, 'non-support' was 48.8% and 'support' was 47.0%, indicating a nearly even split in sympathy toward the medical associations' strike.

However, regarding the appropriateness of the medical associations' demand for documentation of the agreement and the government's resolution approach (survey commissioned by tbs, survey target: 6,355 people, respondents: 500, response rate: 7.9%, margin of error: ±4.4 percentage points at 95% confidence level), opinions were evenly divided.

The survey results showed that 45.0% considered the demand for documentation an 'appropriate request,' while 40.7% viewed it as an 'excessive demand.' Regarding the government's resolution approach, including halting the expansion of the number of doctors and reconsidering after overcoming COVID-19, 46.0% felt it was 'sufficient,' while 43.4% felt it was 'insufficient.'

Notably, opinions on the demand for documentation differed by ideological inclination and party support. Among conservatives and supporters of the People Power Party (formerly the United Future Party), a majority considered the demand appropriate, whereas among progressives and supporters of the Democratic Party, 60% viewed it as an excessive demand, showing a contrasting pattern. Moderates and non-partisans showed over 50% support for the demand being appropriate, more than those considering it excessive.

Regarding the government's resolution approach, 74.8% of Democratic Party supporters judged it sufficient, while 71.6% of People Power Party supporters judged it insufficient. Among non-partisans, 30.1% considered it sufficient and 55.1% insufficient, similar to the People Power Party supporters.

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