Kyungsillyeon Urges "Medical Community to Stop Collective Action... Government Must Respond Strongly"

As the medical gap continues due to the collective resignation of residents, the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) has called for the cessation of collective actions by the medical community and strict government response.

On the 5th, CCEJ held a press conference in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, stating that a small number of doctors are abusing the medical monopoly rights granted by the state to manipulate policies and intimidate the public, and that the vicious cycle must be broken with uncompromising strong government action.

Officials from the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice held a press conference on the 5th near the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, urging the medical community to stop illegal collective actions, expand medical school quotas, and for the government to respond strictly. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

On the day, Kim Seong-dal, Secretary General of CCEJ, emphasized, "The government should not retreat and must prepare government policies according to principles," adding, "The special law for medical accident handling (Medical Accident Handling Special Act) for appeasing the medical community must never be implemented."

Nam Eun-gyeong, Director of the Social Policy Team at CCEJ, also warned, "Doctors who are directly responsible for life do not have the right to strike, so collective refusal of medical treatment is clearly illegal under the Medical Service Act," and stated, "If the Korean Medical Association (KMA) engages in collective action, legal responsibility can be imposed. Once the KMA resolves to refuse treatment or decides on the schedule and methods, CCEJ will act separately from the government."

Song Ki-min, Chairperson of the Health and Medical Committee at CCEJ, said, "It is unthinkable for doctors to leave patients behind to enforce the demands of the medical community," adding, "Illegal actions by the medical community that do not return to their original position must be dealt with fairly and strictly according to the law without leniency."

On the day, CCEJ demanded △ cessation of illegal collective actions by the medical community △ strict government measures according to law and principles against unqualified doctors △ expansion of medical school quotas by 2,000 without retreat.

Meanwhile, the government announced that it will begin legal procedures such as enforcing administrative sanctions under the Medical Service Act against 7,000 residents who have not returned and summoning current and former executives of the Korean Medical Association for investigation.

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