Doctors Threatening the Public... Democratic Party Calls for "Equitable Legislation"

KMA Opposes Medical Law Amendment Attempt... "Strike Confirmed if Judiciary Committee Approves on 25th"

On the afternoon of the 17th, in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Choi Dae-jip, the president of the Korean Medical Association, is reading a press statement at the "Press Conference Urging Protection of Medical Personnel to Overcome the COVID-19 Crisis." (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy reporters Seo So-jeong and Geum Bo-ryeong] The Korea Medical Association (KMA), opposing the National Assembly's attempt to amend the Medical Service Act, has reiterated its plan to "start a strike if the Legislation and Judiciary Committee passes the bill on the 25th." The political circles pushing for the amendment criticized the KMA's threat to the public and clearly stated plans to pass the bill through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 25th and the plenary session on the 26th.

On the 22nd, KMA President Choi Dae-jip said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "If the bill is approved by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, we will launch a total strike by doctors," warning, "If vaccinations are concentrated in the third quarter, local clinics will have no choice but to operate in a rotating duty system, which will inevitably hinder cooperation." If the doctors' strike materializes, significant disruptions are inevitable starting from the second quarter. Although vaccine supplies are limited in the first quarter, vaccinations will be concentrated from the second quarter onward.

The only variable is that President Choi's term expires at the end of April. Although an election to select the next KMA president will be held next month, all six candidates oppose the amendment, so vaccination disruptions seem unavoidable whether there is a strike or not.

The political circles strongly criticized the KMA's threat of a "vaccine vaccination hostage" strike. Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "Considering fairness and equity among professions and the special nature of medical care, the Health and Welfare Committee deliberated for a long time and passed the bill through bipartisan agreement. Nevertheless, refusing to cooperate with vaccinations in front of the people suffering from COVID-19 will be difficult to gain public consent." He added, "If illegal collective actions occur, the government should respond firmly."

Kim Sung-joo, the ruling party's secretary of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, also appeared on the radio that day and said, "Even considering the special nature of medical care, this is a fair legislation that is neither excessive nor insufficient." Go Young-in, a Democratic Party member of the Welfare Committee, dismissed the doctors' opposition, saying, "Some parts may be adjusted, but the basic framework will be maintained from our party's standpoint," and "It has already been adjusted with many concessions, and the KMA's opposition does not represent the entire doctors' opinion."

The Medical Service Act amendment, including provisions to revoke licenses of doctors who commit violent crimes, is a consolidated bill created by merging bills proposed by Democratic Party lawmakers and will go to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 25th. The ruling and opposition parties plan to finalize the amended Medical Service Act through the plenary session on the 26th.

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