Amid Cold Wave, Korean Medical Association Takes to Streets, Hints at Possible General Strike... Ministry of Health and Welfare Vows "Strict Response" (Comprehensive)

KMA "Considering Last Resort if Medical School Expansion Enforced"
Ministry of Health "Mentioning Total Strike Inappropriate... Strict Response According to Law and Principles"

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) held a general rally and demonstration against the government’s plan to increase the number of medical school admissions. When the KMA mentioned the possibility of a general strike (collective refusal of medical treatment) during the rally, the Ministry of Health and Welfare warned that it would respond strictly.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the 17th, the KMA held the "1st Nationwide General Rally of Doctors to Prevent the Collapse of Medical Care in the Republic of Korea" on Sejong-daero in front of Donghwa Duty-Free Shop in Jongno-gu, Seoul, stating, "The government's unreasonable increase in medical school quotas, which is being pushed forward without a comprehensive plan, is a policy that can only produce various side effects," and added, "The medical community must unite its strength and absolutely stop this."

Lee Pil-su, chairman of the Special Committee for Comprehensive Medical Measures (SCCMM) and president of the KMA, said, "The government is only interested in increasing the number of doctors who will graduate at least 11 to 14 years from now, rather than fundamental solutions," and added, "The government, which is responsible for the health and lives of the people, must sit down with the medical community to find fundamental solutions."

Lee also emphasized, "Before unilaterally discussing the increase in medical school quotas, measures to fundamentally revive essential medical care must come first," and said, "Fundamental measures such as establishing legal and institutional safety nets for essential medical personnel, normalizing essential medical fees that are far below the OECD average, and supporting essential medical specialties must be prepared first." He warned again, "If this is forced ahead without sufficient communication and consultation, the medical community cannot help but consider the strongest final means."

On the same day, the KMA demanded from the government ▲ to listen to the voices of the medical community to prepare fundamental measures to save essential and regional medical care ▲ to keep the 2020 agreement to promote policies in consultation with the KMA ▲ to implement medical school quota policies reflecting the voices of medical students, who are the subjects of medical education. In the resolution, the KMA emphasized, "If the government’s unilateral policy to increase medical school quotas proceeds, the responsibility for the subsequent collapse of essential and regional medical care and the medical vacuum in Korea will rest entirely with the government, which has brutally broken its promises and trust with the medical community."

At the rally, Lee and five medical students went on stage, unfurled a banner, and performed a symbolic act of taking off their white coats. Lee Jung-geun, the KMA’s full-time vice president, and Gil Gwang-chae, president of the Seogu Medical Association in Gwangju, also shaved their heads in protest against the government’s expansion of medical school quotas. After the main event, participants marched toward Seoul Station.

After the rally and march, Lee read a "Letter to the President" near the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. He said, "The unreasonable increase in medical school quotas being pushed forward without a comprehensive plan for the entire health care system will only produce various side effects," and reiterated, "Fundamental solutions are needed to save essential medical care rather than increasing medical school quotas."

Lee added, "I earnestly request the President to reconsider the policy of increasing medical school quotas," and said, "I ask the President to listen carefully to the earnest voices of doctors and proceed with sufficient discussion and consultation when implementing the medical school quota policy."

Officials from the Korean Medical Association are marching on Sejong-daero in front of Donghwa Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu on the afternoon of the 17th during the "1st Nationwide Doctors' General Rally to Prevent the Collapse of Medical Care in Korea."
[Photo by Korean Medical Association]

When the KMA mentioned a general strike at the rally, the Ministry of Health and Welfare warned it would respond strictly. The ministry held an emergency response team meeting chaired by Minister Cho Kyu-hong and stated, "It is very inappropriate that the KMA held a nationwide doctors’ rally and mentioned a general strike that jeopardizes the lives and safety of the people." The ministry explained, "We plan to respond strictly according to laws and principles against the KMA’s illegal collective refusal of medical treatment," and added, "Since expanding the number of doctors to strengthen essential medical care is urgent, we will faithfully implement necessary measures such as preparing policy packages and collecting opinions."

However, it is expected that the KMA will not immediately proceed with a general strike. The KMA has been conducting a strike approval vote among all members from the 11th until midnight of the day, but even after the vote closes, it does not plan to disclose the results. Furthermore, the KMA’s policy is not to immediately strike even if the vote shows strong support. The KMA explains that this vote is a procedure to seek members’ consent for the possibility of a general strike if the government forcibly increases medical school quotas.

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