Government-Medical Association Sign Agreement After Difficult Negotiations: "Collective Strike Suspended" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government and the Korea Medical Association (KMA) have concluded negotiations regarding medical policies such as the expansion of medical school quotas and signed an agreement.

On the afternoon of the 4th, Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, and Choi Dae-jip, President of the KMA, signed a five-point agreement at the Seoul Government Complex in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, which includes halting the expansion of medical school quotas and the establishment of a public medical school, as well as forming a medical-government consultative body.

Both parties stated the background of the agreement, saying, "We share the view that in the public health crisis situation caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), we must join forces and make every effort to protect patients' lives and health."

Accordingly, the Ministry of Health and Welfare will first halt the expansion of medical school quotas and the establishment of a public medical school, and after the stabilization of COVID-19, will keep all possibilities open and consult with the KMA through the medical-government consultative body.

Additionally, they promised to respect the results of discussions within the parliamentary consultative body formed according to the policy agreement between the KMA and the Democratic Party of Korea, and not to unilaterally push forward policies such as notifying medical school quotas.

A medical-government consultative body will be formed to address major health and medical issues, including the development of regional medical support measures such as regional fee adjustments, fostering and supporting essential medical services, substantial improvement of resident training environments, and establishment of the medical delivery system. Discussions on structural reforms of the Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee (HIPDC) will also be conducted concurrently.

Following the agreement, the KMA decided to halt collective actions and return to medical practice.

At the signing ceremony, Minister Park Neung-hoo expressed, "I sincerely apologize for causing worry and inconvenience to the public," and welcomed the KMA's decision to focus capabilities on responding to COVID-19 and to enter a dialogue and consultation process.

Meanwhile, the signing ceremony, originally scheduled for 11 a.m., was postponed to the afternoon and the venue was changed due to internal opposition within the medical community, mainly from residents.

As the medical community negotiated with the ruling party and the government, the collective strike situation has entered a resolution phase. However, due to opposition from the Emergency Response Committee of the Korean Intern Resident Association, it is expected to take some time before residents return to the clinical field.

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