The 'D-Day' for Resident Doctors' Return Deadline... Government Moves Forward with Punishment Measures

Tensions are rising as the government-set deadline, or "D-day," for the collective resignation return of residents approaches. While no large-scale return movement has been detected, the government has begun legal proceedings against residents who have not returned by the deadline.

According to the medical community on the 29th, some residents have recently returned to hospitals, but as of the morning of that day, no large-scale return movement has been observed.

An official from a major general hospital in Seoul said, "Some hospitals report that a small number of residents have returned, but it does not seem to be at a level that can be felt on the ground," adding, "It is difficult to expect residents to return en masse by the deadline."

Amid the ongoing strong confrontation between the government and the medical community over the increase in medical school admissions, medical staff are moving at a large hospital in Seoul on the 29th, the government's deadline for residents who left the hospital to return. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

In fact, it is known that 12 residents at Konkuk University Hospital, 7 at Chonnam National University Hospital, 7 at Chosun University Hospital, and 6 at Chungbuk National University Hospital have recently returned to their hospitals. However, since about 9,900 residents nationwide have submitted resignation letters and about 8,900 have left their workplaces, these numbers represent only a minority.

An official from a university hospital in Seoul predicted, "Unless a decision is made at the organizational level (such as by the Korean Medical Association), it will be difficult to anticipate a return." If residents do not return by the deadline, the government is expected to proceed with full-scale legal action.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has issued work commencement orders to over 9,000 residents and, the day before, personally delivered these orders to some residents at their homes. If residents do not return despite the work commencement orders, the ministry will report them to the police for violating the Medical Service Act, and the police will begin a full investigation.

Under the current Medical Service Act, refusal to comply with a work commencement order is punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won. If prosecuted and sentenced to imprisonment or higher, medical licenses can be revoked for up to 10 years.

The police plan to conduct a swift investigation regarding this incident. Following the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s report on the 27th accusing five current and former Korean Medical Association officials, including Kim Taek-woo, the association’s emergency committee chairman, and Joo Soo-ho, the media and public relations chairman, of violating work commencement orders and inciting or aiding obstruction of work, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency’s Public Crime Investigation Unit was assigned the case and began a full investigation within a day.

Yoon Hee-geun, Commissioner of the National Police Agency, emphasized, "Considering the special nature of the case, we will immediately send summons to the parties upon receipt of the complaint, and if they express an intention not to appear, we will consult with the prosecution to request arrest warrants and respond strictly."

However, the Korean Medical Association’s emergency committee warned, "If punishment against residents intensifies after the 1st of next month, the production of specialists in the Republic of Korea will cease," adding, "All senior doctors, including employed physicians, private practitioners, and professors who cannot tolerate the unfair harm to their juniors, will give up their medical careers and stand with them."

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