Doctors Rallying Against Medical School Expansion... Low Possibility of Mass Strike

Doctors affiliated with the Korea Medical Association (KMA) held a street rally on the 17th to oppose the government's plan to increase medical school admissions. The KMA is conducting a strike survey until midnight and is considering collective action, but the likelihood of an actual refusal to provide medical services appears low.

On this day, the KMA held the "1st Nationwide Doctors' General Rally to Prevent the Collapse of Medical Care in the Republic of Korea" around Gwanghwamun, Seoul. The KMA stated, "The unilateral increase in medical school admissions will cause the collapse of medical care," and added, "We will not hesitate to go on a general strike to oppose the increase."

On the afternoon of the 17th, near Donghwa Duty Free Shop on Sejong-daero in Seoul, participants including Lee Pil-su, chairman of the Korea Medical Association and head of the joint committee, shouted slogans at the National Doctors' Rally organized by the Korea Medical Association.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Since the 11th, the KMA has been conducting a "General Strike Survey to Prevent the Increase in Medical School Quotas" targeting doctors affiliated with the KMA. The survey closes at midnight today. Based on the survey results, the KMA plans to determine the direction of collective actions such as work stoppages (refusal to provide medical services).

However, it seems unlikely that the KMA will immediately refuse medical services and engage in collective action. The KMA plans not to disclose the survey results closing today and intends to use them as leverage in future negotiations with the government.

According to Article 59 of the Medical Service Act, if a medical professional unjustifiably stops providing medical services or if the operator of a medical institution collectively closes the facility causing significant disruption to patient care, the Minister of Health and Welfare or local government heads may order the medical professional or institution operator to resume work. Violators of such orders may face administrative sanctions (suspension of work for 15 days) and criminal charges.

Another burden is the overwhelming public support for increasing medical school admissions. According to a survey released today by the National Health and Medical Industry Labor Union, 89.3% of respondents supported expanding medical school quotas.

The government maintains its principle of continuing discussions with the KMA regarding the increase in medical school admissions. At the same time, it insists on a strict stance according to law and principles if the KMA engages in illegal collective actions.

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