Government: "From Tomorrow, Military Medical Officers and Public Health Doctors Will Be Dispatched... Strict Measures Against Attacks on Returning Residents"

Targeting 20 Hospitals Nationwide... Starting Tomorrow for 4 Weeks
20 Military Doctors and 138 Public Health Doctors
Urging Residents to Return... "Will Discuss Anytime with All Medical Personnel"

The government will dispatch military doctors and public health doctors to medical sites for four weeks starting tomorrow. It warned that strict measures will be taken against residents who have returned to medical sites but are being attacked by residents participating in collective actions. It also reiterated its call for the return of residents who have left the medical field.

On the 10th, Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong presided over a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) responding to doctors' collective actions, stating, "There have been reports in some media outlets that the names of residents who have returned to the field are being disclosed and they are being attacked with malicious comments," adding, "I find this very regrettable and unfortunate."

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@

He continued, "There are even residents who complain that they hesitate to return because they are more afraid of attacks from their colleagues than the government's license suspension," and said, "Attacking those who devote themselves day and night on site and forcing participation in collective actions is absolutely unacceptable. We will thoroughly investigate and take strict measures."

Minister Cho emphasized again that punishment for residents who have left is inevitable but said he is ready to engage in dialogue with the medical community. He stated, "Disciplinary actions based on laws and principles are unavoidable for illegal collective actions. The government has an obligation to fulfill the responsibilities granted by the Constitution and laws," but also added, "We urge a prompt return and dialogue. The government is always prepared to seriously discuss medical reform promotion with all medical personnel."

Minister Cho explained, "Since announcing the four major tasks of medical reform on the 1st of last month, we have released a special bill on medical accidents and prepared plans to strengthen health insurance compensation for essential medical care and improve residents' treatment," adding, "Last week, we launched a task force (TF) to prepare the Medical Reform Special Committee to accelerate the establishment of a presidential advisory committee."

He further stated, "It is hard to accept claims that the tasks lack concreteness and are not trustworthy," emphasizing, "Through rational and constructive discussions, detailed plans can be supplemented and developed as much as needed." The four major medical reform tasks are ▲expansion of admission quotas ▲strengthening regional medical care ▲establishment of a safety net for medical accidents ▲enhancement of fairness in the compensation system.

On the 4th, the first working day after the deadline for residents to return set by the government, Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, who attended the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters video meeting on doctors' collective action held at the Seoul Government Complex, is speaking. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Minister Cho also announced plans to ensure thorough operation of the emergency medical system by dispatching 20 military doctors and 138 public health doctors to 20 hospitals for four weeks starting from the 11th.

The government plans to rapidly execute the 128.5 billion KRW in contingency funds decided last week and inject 188.2 billion KRW monthly from health insurance to strengthen compensation for treatment of severe and emergency patients.

Regarding claims by the Korean Medical Association (KMA) and others that the 'Nurse Work Scope Pilot Project Supplementary Guidelines,' implemented since the 8th, promote illegal medical practices, Minister Cho said, "The guidelines are intended to clarify the scope of work so that nurses can focus on patient care with peace of mind, and the KMA's claims are not true."

He explained, "Since June last year, we have held the 'Medical Support Personnel Improvement Council' composed of medical organizations, and last month, several hospital directors made suggestions," adding, "Considering the field situation, the Hospital Association and the Nurses Association discussed together and prepared the pilot project guidelines."

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