Resident Doctors' 7-Day Work Return 'Set'... Daejeon Association "Discussing Timing and Method"

Young Doctors' Emergency Committee "Many Disagreements, Adjusting"... Ministry of Health and Welfare "Waiting for Positive News"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Despite the government, ruling party, and the Korean Medical Association (KMA) reaching an agreement to call off the medical strike, residents who declared they would not cease collective action have tentatively concluded after internal meetings on the 7th to return to work. However, due to frequent internal disagreements over detailed matters such as the future direction of the emergency committee, no official stance has been released.

On the 6th, the Young Doctors Emergency Committee, mainly composed of residents, told Asia Economy, "We are conducting internal discussions regarding the return to work and methods for residents, fellows, and others," adding, "An official position has not yet been coordinated, so please wait a little longer."

The Young Doctors Emergency Committee continued discussions until the morning of the same day concerning the return to work of residents, fellows, medical students, and the decision on whether to take the medical licensing examination. However, internal conflicts arose between hardliners who claimed that "the KMA-government-ruling party agreement was a hasty deal excluding the residents who were the main force of the strike" and moderates who argued that "since the KMA has already reached an agreement, collective action should stop."

During this process, a motion of no confidence against Park Ji-hyun, Chairperson of the Korean Intern Resident Association Emergency Committee, was even proposed but reportedly rejected.

The Young Doctors Emergency Committee has currently decided to suspend collective action while maintaining the emergency status and continuously monitor the implementation of the agreement. Furthermore, if protective measures for medical students taking the licensing exam are established, they plan to return to work as early as the 7th.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare, reflecting the medical community's stance once again, extended the deadline for reapplying for the medical licensing exam from 6 PM on the 4th to midnight on the 6th. With the government stepping back and the reapplication deadline extended once more, the Young Doctors Emergency Committee is under pressure to reach a prompt conclusion by today. Additionally, the Ministry is waiting for residents to return to medical sites, even withdrawing charges against all residents who refused the work commencement order.

A Ministry of Health and Welfare official stated, "We understand that residents have concluded through internal meetings to return to work," adding, "However, additional discussions are likely ongoing to detail positions at each hospital and university." The official further said, "We hope residents will promptly return to medical sites amid the COVID-19 crisis."

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