Ministry of National Defense: "If Medical Strike Persists, Military Hospitals Will Be Opened"
Support for Civilian Outpatient Care at Emergency Rooms of 12 Hospitals Nationwide
Deployment of Military Medical Officers and Nursing Officers Under Review
Military hospitals have decided to open their emergency rooms to civilians. This is a measure in response to doctors, including residents, announcing collective action in protest against the expansion of medical school quotas.
On the 19th, the Ministry of National Defense stated, "If the civilian medical sector proceeds with the strike, emergency rooms at 12 military hospitals, including the Armed Forces Capital Hospital, will be opened to support emergency patient treatment."
There are 15 military hospitals nationwide. Among them, 12 operate emergency rooms: 9 hospitals under the Medical Command, 2 naval hospitals, and 1 air force hospital. Short-term military doctors serving 36 months of mandatory service are working in the emergency rooms.
The military plans to provide additional support within the scope that does not hinder medical support for military personnel if the medical strike continues. This means that dispatching medical personnel is also under consideration. During the medical strike in 2000, the military also dispatched medical staff to treat civilians. At that time, an emergency medical team composed of 4 military doctors, 2 nursing officers, 5 medical soldiers, and 1 driver was organized into 12 teams and sent to 12 public and municipal hospitals nationwide.
On the same day in the afternoon, Kim Seon-ho, Deputy Minister of National Defense, visited the Armed Forces Medical Command to check the operation site of the emergency medical system for civilians and to inspect the preparedness and military medical support posture.
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A Ministry of National Defense official said, "Considering the medical strike situation, we will also review plans such as outpatient treatment for civilians and dispatching military doctors within the scope that does not hinder medical support for military personnel."
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