Jung Se-kyun "Strictly Respond to Illegal Collective Actions" vs. Korean Medical Association "Grant Autonomous Disciplinary Authority" (Summary)

Prime Minister Jeong: "If the KMA realizes illegal collective actions, we will respond firmly"
Chairman Choi Dae-jip of KMA: "If medical-government cooperation collapses, obstacles to COVID-19 response will occur"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Son Seon-hee and Yoo Byung-don] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun issued a strong warning message to the Korea Medical Association (KMA), which opposed the revision of the Medical Service Act and mentioned a 'complete temporary suspension of vaccination.'

On the 21st, Prime Minister Chung wrote on his social media (SNS), "Who exactly is the KMA for? The government will never tolerate collective actions that waste the dedication of the people," expressing his stance.

He continued, "If the KMA realizes illegal collective actions, the government will not hesitate to exercise strong administrative power," and warned firmly, "We will never tolerate illegality, will respond decisively, and punish severely."

Earlier, on the 19th, the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee passed a revision to the Medical Service Act allowing the cancellation of a doctor's license if they are sentenced to imprisonment or higher for serious crimes. In cases of imprisonment, reissuance of the license is prohibited for five years after the sentence ends, and for suspended sentences, for two years after the period expires. However, negligence occurring during medical practice is excluded.

In response, the KMA issued a statement opposing the revision of the Medical Service Act that cancels medical licenses for doctors sentenced to imprisonment or higher for crimes such as murder and sexual assault. However, the part of the statement mentioning the possibility of collective actions such as 'complete temporary suspension of vaccination' became problematic.

Prime Minister Chung said, "Until now, all citizens have built up K-Quarantine with patience and sacrifice, and its conclusion is vaccination," adding, "The third wave is not subsiding, and we are walking on thin ice, not knowing when it might worsen again. It is a time when everyone must unite for successful vaccination."

He criticized the KMA's opposition to the Medical Service Act revision, saying, "The KMA is misleading the public by falsely suggesting that a doctor's license will be automatically canceled even for a traffic accident."

He emphasized, "Under no circumstances can the interests of a specific profession take precedence over the lives and safety of the people," and earnestly urged, "I sincerely ask doctors to fulfill their social responsibility as doctors for the people, not just for their professional group."

In response, the KMA still maintains a stubborn stance.

On the same day, before starting the '2nd Meeting of the COVID-19 Vaccination Medical-Government Joint Committee' at the Korea Health Promotion Institute in Jung-gu, Seoul, KMA President Choi Dae-jip said in his opening remarks, "If the bill to cancel the licenses of doctors sentenced to imprisonment or higher is passed by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the cooperation system related to COVID-19 treatment and vaccination will collapse."

President Choi said, "This law is harsh, canceling licenses when sentenced to imprisonment or higher and prohibiting holding a license for five years even after the sentence is completed," and requested, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare should actively present opinions to the National Assembly, recognizing that the medical community seriously perceives this as a problem, to prevent an unfortunate situation."

The KMA holds the position that it cannot accept the bill because it could produce victims of good faith.

After the meeting, President Choi met with reporters and reiterated, "If this law passes the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, we will have no choice but to launch a nationwide general strike," adding, "If a general strike occurs, there will be significant obstacles to COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment, and vaccination."

He added, "Since we have declared a general strike, the government must take responsibility for any ensuing situations," and said, "If the KMA is given autonomous disciplinary authority over medical licenses, we will manage it strictly."

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