Residents Attend 'Private Talks' in Single Digits... Government Urges Return Today

Two Residents Estimated to Attend the Meeting

Park Min-su, the 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, urged the resident doctors who have not yet returned to come back by midnight today after a private conversation with them. It is estimated that two resident doctors attended the meeting.

Park Min-su, the 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, is entering while avoiding the press gathered to attend a conversation with residents on the 29th at the large conference room of the Seoul Gangwon Regional Headquarters of the National Health Insurance Service in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Vice Minister Park and the resident doctors held a discussion around 4 p.m. on the 29th at the 6th-floor conference room of the Seoul Gangwon Regional Headquarters of the National Health Insurance Corporation in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The meeting was held privately and lasted about 3 hours and 20 minutes in the afternoon. It was confirmed that they used the freight elevator upon entry to avoid attention. Upon exit, government measures were taken to prevent the identification of the resident doctors. Eight staff members entered the conference room from outside, then the resident doctors mixed in, and nine people exited simultaneously in two rounds.

After the meeting, Vice Minister Park told reporters, "Those who came today are not representatives of the resident doctors. They are current resident doctors attending in a personal capacity," adding, "There were questions about the policy content announced by the government and its background, which were explained in detail. Those who came commonly expressed their hope that this situation would be resolved quickly."

However, he did not disclose or specify the exact number of resident doctors who attended. He said, "The resident doctors practically say they have no representatives. The executives of the Korean Intern Resident Association or those whose names were on the statement did not come," and added, "It was a small number, but I cannot say exactly how many. Single-digit attendance."

He urged the resident doctors to return by the deadline. He stated, "You have sufficiently expressed your intentions through collective actions or resignations. Even if this drags on longer, nothing will change," and added, "Setting a return deadline is not intimidation but an attempt to open a way out for you to come back." He continued, "If you return by today (the 29th), there will be no administrative measures, so your intentions have been sufficiently expressed, and I want to say that patients are waiting for you."

Regarding suspicions that the meeting with non-representative general resident doctors was merely for show, he responded, "When we repeatedly publicly suggested dialogue, the situation did not allow it, and even when we individually contacted representatives, they did not respond. This reflects that situation," and added, "I think this will be conveyed to the several thousand resident doctors overall, and there will be some communication."

He further said, "A few people came, showed courage, responded, and communication took place. Although a minority, we believe it can help to return to the field. These individuals will likely share this with their acquaintances, so even if one person returns, it would be meaningful."

Regarding the Korean Medical Association Emergency Committee’s plan to hold a nationwide doctors’ rally on the 3rd of next month, he expressed no objection. Vice Minister Park said, "In a democratic society, it is a natural means of expression for many people to gather nonviolently to express their opinions," and added, "That day is a holiday, so normally no medical treatment is provided. It does not harm patients, so we do not think it is something to comment on."

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