Seoul National University College of Medicine Professors' Association "Mass Resignation on the 18th... Hospital Bankruptcy and Chain Collapse Expected"

"From Large Hospitals to Bankruptcies, Wave of Failures Expected"
"Decades of Built Korean Medical System Will Collapse"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the Seoul National University College of Medicine Professors' Association's emergency meeting and their agreement to resign en masse if the government does not intervene, Bang Jae-seung, the chairman of the emergency response committee of the Seoul National University College of Medicine Professors' Association, stated on the 12th that "87% of the responding professors expressed their approval."

Chairman Bang explained on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "Seoul National University professors have agreed to voluntarily submit their resignation letters starting from the 18th if the government does not actively work to resolve the situation," adding, "When residents submit their resignation letters, automatic resignation begins after one month, and that date is the 18th."

The government is pushing to increase medical school quotas by 2,000 students and is in strong confrontation with medical organizations. Chairman Bang said that a survey was conducted at Seoul National University asking, "Do you think the decision to increase by 2,000 is scientific and rational?" and explained, "99% of respondents answered no." Regarding the government's claim that university presidents applied for an increase of 3,000 students, he said, "It was not the answer of 99% of the professors."

If professors submit resignation letters following the residents, the current medical chaos will inevitably worsen. Chairman Bang explained, "Since residents are absolutely unlikely to return under the government's policy, big five hospitals, so-called large hospitals, will go bankrupt first, followed by a chain of bankruptcies," adding, "Within a few months, the excellence of the Korean medical system, built up over decades, will collapse entirely."

Unlike residents, professors are essential medical personnel, so if they submit resignation letters and receive work commencement orders, they may face severe administrative sanctions later. Chairman Bang said, "There must be many professors who are afraid," and added, "How desperate must the professors be to take such action?"

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