Conflict over Direct Translation of Nursing Act Intensifies into 'Strong vs. Strong'... No Exit in Sight

Partial strike on the 11th... Dentists close for a day
20,000 nursing assistants participate

Nurse organizations also discuss collective action
Likely to escalate if veto is exercised

The conflict between healthcare professions surrounding the Nursing Act has escalated to its peak. With President Yoon Seok-yeol's exercise of the veto power becoming a focal point of attention, both the nursing and medical communities, divided into supporters and opponents, have resorted to collective action. Regardless of the outcome, the lack of a clear 'exit strategy' inevitably poses a burden for the government.

The Health and Welfare Medical Solidarity, consisting of 13 professional groups opposing the enactment of the Nursing Act, held a press conference on the 8th to explain the second partial strike scheduled for the 11th.
[Photo by Health and Welfare Medical Solidarity]

The Health and Welfare Medical Solidarity, which includes 13 healthcare professional organizations such as the Korean Medical Association, the Korean Association of Nursing Assistants, and the Korean Emergency Medical Technicians Association, held a press conference on the afternoon of the 8th to announce plans for a second partial strike scheduled for the 11th. Notably, dentists who did not participate in the first strike will take a one-day leave, and the number of participating nursing assistants will increase to 20,000. Along with the participation of care workers, doctors plan to expand partial reduced medical services nationwide.

Earlier, on the 3rd, approximately 20,000 people, including about 10,000 nursing assistants, radiologists, emergency medical technicians, and health information managers, participated in simultaneous nationwide leave protests. The Health and Welfare Medical Solidarity had warned that if the president does not exercise the veto power or if the Nursing Act is not reconsidered, a large-scale general strike would be launched on the 17th. The coalition stated, "To minimize confusion in medical and welfare fields, we will hold a second nationwide simultaneous leave protest to raise awareness of the serious issues of the Nursing Act without threatening the public's right to health," emphasizing, "We must absolutely stop the Nursing Act, which disrupts medical collaboration and shakes the healthcare system."

Amid growing concerns, with the ruling party announcing plans to recommend the president exercise the veto power, the nursing community has also begun discussions on collective action. The Korean Nurses Association started a survey on 'nurses' collective action' targeting all members from that day. The survey is conducted via email until the 14th, and the results will be announced on the 15th. The association appealed, stating, "The noble values of 500,000 nurses and 120,000 nursing students, who absolutely refuse to strike at the expense of the public, are under threat, and there is no room to retreat anymore," adding, "A veto on the Nursing Act is tantamount to a death sentence."

Members of the Korean Academy of Nursing Science and 11 specialized nursing societies are holding a press conference on the 8th to urge the fulfillment of promises related to the Nursing Act. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Although the survey reportedly asks for opinions on returning nursing licenses and a campaign for joining only one political party, it is expected that stronger collective actions will be taken if the president exercises the veto power. Previously, the National Movement Headquarters for the Enactment of the Nursing Act, which includes the Korean Nurses Association and the Health and Medical Labor Union, emphasized, "If opposition to the Nursing Act is pursued under the pretext of fabricated conflicts, please remember that those responsible will be held accountable and judged."

The bigger problem lies in the absence of a party to mediate the conflict between professions. Since the Ministry of Health and Welfare has directly expressed concerns and opposition to the enactment of the Nursing Act, it inevitably shows limitations in mediating with the nursing community. The Korean Nurses Association targeted the ministry's actions, stating, "They are spreading false information using public authority," and declared, "We will resist using all possible means." As the situation worsens regardless of President Yoon's choice, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, as the competent authority, is also expected to face scrutiny over its leadership in mediating the healthcare sector.

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