Resident Doctors' 'Individual Resignation Letters' Movement, Ministry of Health and Welfare Warns "If Prearranged, Considered 'Collective Resignation'" (Comprehensive)

"If Not an Acceptable Individual Reason, Repair Prohibited"

The government has put a brake on the 'individual resignation letter submission' by medical residents that could lead to a relay effect. This move is interpreted as a preemptive measure to prevent the spread of individual resignations by residents, following concerns raised after an intern at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital publicly announced their intention to resign in protest against the government's plan to increase medical school admissions.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare emphasized, "If the submission is a form of protest against government policy and is carried out after prior consultation with colleagues, even if it appears individual, it can be regarded as a 'collective resignation letter.'"

On the 14th, Park Min-su, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, responded to reporters' questions at a briefing of the 'Central Accident Response Headquarters for Doctors' Collective Action' held at the Government Seoul Office, saying, "Even if residents submit resignation letters individually to avoid legal sanctions, there is a possibility that these will be considered collective resignation letters."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He explained, "If the reasons for submitting individual resignation letters deviate from the usual and are a form of protest against government policy, and if the submission was done after prior consultation with colleagues, it is considered a 'collective resignation letter' despite its individual appearance." He added, "When hospitals receive resignation letters, they should carefully understand the reasons through counseling and other means, and for reasons that are not individually acceptable, they must follow the valid measures already issued by orders." He also stated, "We are monitoring the situation at each hospital individually."

The government has issued an order to training hospitals to prohibit acceptance of collective resignation letters to prevent residents from collectively quitting in opposition to the increase in medical school admissions. In preparation for medical strikes, the government has also introduced strong measures such as "considering revocation of medical licenses for violation of work commencement orders." This is interpreted as a warning to prevent the trend of submitting individual resignation letters instead of collective action in response to opposition.

On the 13th, Hong Jae-woo, an intern working at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, posted a video titled "Resolution" on the YouTube channel "PublicTube Meditalk," publicly announcing his intention to resign. He said, "I decided to resign and take a break for personal reasons," adding, "Given the current situation filled with hostility and anger towards doctors, I judged that it is difficult to continue my medical duties and decided to step down temporarily." He emphasized that this was his personal stance, not the official position of the Korean Intern Resident Association (Daejeon Association), and even revealed his medical license number, saying, "If you think I am inciting collective action, you can take away my license."

Although he emphasized it was an 'individual resignation,' concerns arose that individual resignations by residents might spread as it became known that other interns besides Hong also intended to resign.

On the same day, the Ministry of Health and Welfare focused on persuasion and appeals to 'young doctors' during the Central Accident Response Headquarters briefing.

Vice Minister Park stressed, "We will definitely improve the working conditions of young doctors." He said, "The main goal of medical reform is to create conditions where young doctors can work in better workplaces," adding, "We aim to ensure they receive fair compensation, are relieved from judicial burdens and excessive long working hours, and can achieve a work-life balance."

He also requested active participation in dialogue with the government. Vice Minister Park said, "The government intends to create a forum for discussion with young doctors, including fellows, residents, and medical students," adding, "We can discuss any issues." He further stated, "If there are parts of the policies already announced by the government that need revision, please express your opinions anytime," and "If the suggestions are better, the government will boldly accept them."

Vice Minister Park warned some individuals not to incite young doctors to engage in collective actions or struggles. He said, "Some doctors who have held key positions such as the president of the Medical Association are inciting struggles," adding, "We ask those who should be the face and role models of the medical community to stop making excessive remarks that tarnish the honor of the majority of doctors who quietly stay by patients' sides, and to refrain from actions that force sacrifices on residents who are still in training and working under the most difficult conditions in the field or put them at risk."

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