Yoon: "Medical Reform to Be Swiftly Implemented... No Exceptions for Professors Violating Medical Law"

Emphasis on Principle-Based Response at Chief Secretary Meeting
Religious Community Expresses Gratitude and Supports Medical Reform at Luncheon

President Yoon Suk-yeol is holding a luncheon meeting with religious leaders at Sangchunjae, the Blue House, on the 12th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 12th, President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered to "swiftly implement medical reform according to principles" and called for thorough emergency response for emergency and critically ill patients.

At the senior secretaries' meeting held that morning at the Yongsan Presidential Office, President Yoon said, "No one, including professors, is exempt from actions that violate the Medical Service Act," according to a briefing by Kim Soo-kyung, spokesperson for the Presidential Office.

This is interpreted as a stern response warning following four weeks of collective action by medical residents and the recent spread of resignation resolutions among medical school professors nationwide.

A Presidential Office official emphasized regarding the collective action movement of medical school professors, "Since the President ordered to proceed swiftly according to principles, no one, including professors, can be exempt from collective actions that violate the Medical Service Act and abandon their posts."

The official added, "Issuing orders to maintain medical services or to resume work is the best approach to prevent submission of resignation letters on site," and explained, "Even if such incidents occur, the current position of the Presidential Office is to proceed according to principles through various legal procedures."

He continued, "However, efforts for dialogue will continue during that process," and explained, "In any case, parties must come to the dialogue table to listen to, hear, and adjust differences in opinions, but saying 'We will only come to dialogue if (the government) withdraws' does not seem to be a genuine willingness to engage in dialogue."

A Presidential Office official stated, "From the government's standpoint, plans regarding medical school quotas are being pursued based on scientific evidence and objective facts. We have held 28 discussions with doctors on various medical reform issues, including medical school quotas," and added, "We also sent official letters to various medical organizations asking their opinions on what they consider an appropriate scale, but as far as we know, there was no response. Therefore, claims that this is sudden or one-sided are not accurate."

On the same day, President Yoon held his third luncheon with religious leaders at Sangchunjae in the Blue House. At this gathering, President Yoon explained the necessity of medical reform and expressed gratitude for the statements of support for government medical reform issued by various religious denominations in the spirit of respecting life.

According to the Presidential Office, one religious leader proposed, "Medical reform is currently receiving nationwide support, so we must not back down," and suggested, "In response to government efforts, the religious community should consider issuing a joint statement." Another religious leader said, "We (the religious community) will consider whether it is necessary to meet and persuade the Korean Medical Association."

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