Lee Jae-myung "Sympathizes" with Kim Nam-guk on 'Legislation Allowing Nurses to Perform Medical Acts'

Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung is holding a press conference on the third relocation of public institutions in Gyeonggi Province at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Office in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of the 17th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Choyoung] On the 24th, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung expressed support for Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk, who stated, "We will actively prepare for the irrational vaccine strike by the Korean Medical Association" and "We will promote nurse-only vaccination." Lee said, "I agree. Rights come with responsibilities."

On the afternoon of the same day, Lee posted on his Facebook, "Suspending the professional licenses of serious criminals should be common to all professions, and making exceptions for certain professions is neither just nor fair," expressing his stance.

He explained, "It is just and necessary to prevent privileges granted by the people for the people from being used as a means to threaten the people," adding, "There are probably very few doctors who demand special exceptions only for doctors in restricting professional licenses of serious criminals and argue that the lives and health of the people should be neglected to protect doctors' rights even when illegal strikes paralyze the medical system."

He continued, "However, currently some doctors are making claims with the intent to paralyze quarantine administration through illegal collective actions such as refusing treatment (if nurses are refused instructions, vaccination is also impossible), and there is an actual risk of this happening," emphasizing, "Legislation that allows vaccinations or specimen collection without doctors' instructions as a precautionary measure is absolutely necessary."

Earlier, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk stated on his Facebook, "We will actively consider a bill to punish medical personnel who refuse temporary vaccination duties without just cause," and "We will also consider a bill allowing nurses to independently perform minor medical acts in urgent situations such as infectious disease outbreaks."

Meanwhile, Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Pediatric Society, strongly criticized Governor Lee's remarks advocating for allowing nurses to administer COVID-19 vaccines through his SNS, saying, "Is Lee Jae-myung asking to be treated by unqualified personnel?" and "If you are sick, do not come to doctors but go to civic groups for treatment."

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