Government Emphasizes Ethical Awareness Over Warnings to Doctors: "We Must Remember Father Itaeseok's Devotion"

Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting... No Administrative or Judicial Action Warnings
Previous Day Yoon's 'Strict Response' Order... Priority Is to Reduce Public Anxiety
Emphasis on Emergency Medical Measures and Healthcare Reform... Full Increase in Medical Fees

The government emphasized ethical awareness rather than issuing warnings to doctors who have engaged in collective action, repeatedly requesting their return. Given President Yoon Seok-yeol's directive for a 'stern response' the previous day (the 6th), this message from the government appears aimed at alleviating public anxiety and assuring doctors that a way back is guaranteed. In particular, the government urged a return by mentioning the nurses who selflessly saved patients at fire scenes and the devoted actions of the late Father Lee Tae-seok.

On the morning of the 7th, the government held a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on doctors' collective action at the Government Complex Sejong, stating, "We express our gratitude to the citizens who prioritize patients in more critical condition than themselves amid the national medical crisis," and "We deeply regret the residents who have continued illegal collective actions causing confusion in medical settings despite appeals for their return from various social leaders."

On the 7th, visitors lined up to register for chemotherapy treatment at a university hospital in Seoul, where a large hospital has begun downsizing operations by reducing the number of beds and staff. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Lee Han-kyung, the 2nd General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters who presided over the meeting, cited the example of nurses and nursing assistants who actively and promptly responded to a nursing hospital fire in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province last year, preventing casualties. He said, "As doctors who save lives, I hope you return to the hospital now and stay by the side of the sick patients."

He promised the public the prompt implementation of emergency medical measures. Referring to the government's approval of a 128.5 billion won contingency fund the previous day, he said, "The contingency fund will mainly be used for emergency on-duty personnel wages for medical staff and hiring medical personnel to fill the gap left by residents," adding, "Local governments' disaster management funds will also be used to support wages for staff at public medical institutions. We will not spare appropriate compensation for medical personnel who prioritize patients' health and stay by their side."

He also emphasized the government's commitment to medical reform. A representative plan includes a substantial increase in fees for emergency and high-difficulty surgeries. The government also plans to promptly enact the Medical Accident Handling Special Act to reduce doctors' legal litigation burdens while simultaneously easing patients' burden of proving medical accidents.

Unlike previous Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meetings, the government focused on urging doctors to uphold ethical awareness rather than issuing warnings about administrative or judicial actions. Since President Yoon instructed a stern response according to law and principles against illegal acts that hold citizens' lives hostage, calling doctors' collective action "an abandonment of their own responsibilities and a shaking of the foundations of liberalism and the rule of law," the government seems to be lowering the tone to ease public anxiety rather than issuing repeated warnings over consecutive days.

Finally, mentioning Father Lee also aligns with this context. Coordinator Lee said, "Reflecting on Father Lee's noble spirit and dedication, I sincerely hope doctors restore the respect and trust of the people as 'white coat' doctors who save lives by being where they belong?beside their patients."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the government completed on-site inspections of training hospitals where residents are affiliated as of the previous day. They visually confirmed whether residents had returned to work to determine their return status. While the government has been sending preliminary administrative disciplinary notices (three-month suspension of medical licenses) to residents confirmed to have left medical sites since the 5th, the on-site inspection results suggest that about 8,000 individuals will be subject to these notices.

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