Will Mass Resignation of Medical School Professors Become a Reality... "We Will Prevent Legal Actions Against Residents and Failing Medical Students"

19 Medical School Professors to Conclude Collective Resignation Discussions by the 15th
Seoul National University Medical School Professors' Association Emergency Committee to Resign from the 18th if Unresolved
Government Still Appeals for On-Site Return: "Even Professors... Increasing Public Anxiety"

Following the collective resignation of residents and the alliance of medical students taking leave from hospitals and schools, the possibility of collective resignation among medical school professors is increasing. This movement is in response to the government's tough measures, including suspension of residents' licenses and academic probation for medical students. Analysts predict that the conflict between the government and the medical community will enter a prolonged phase.

According to the medical community on the 15th, professors from 19 medical schools nationwide decided to conclude discussions on whether to submit resignation letters by this day after launching the 'National Medical School Professors Emergency Response Committee' on the 12th. The 19 medical schools include Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Ulsan University, Catholic University, Jeju University, Wonkwang University, Inje University, Hallym University, Ajou University, Dankook University, Gyeongsang National University, Chungbuk National University, Hanyang University, Daegu Catholic University, Pusan National University, Chungnam National University, Konkuk University, Kangwon National University, and Keimyung University. The emergency committee stated, "We organized and united the committee to prevent imminent judicial actions against residents and academic probation and leave for medical students."

On the 11th, as collective actions by doctors, centered around residents, continue, a nurse is busy moving around at a secondary general hospital in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Currently, the group explicitly mentioning a specific date for submitting resignation letters includes the Seoul National University Medical School Professors' Emergency Committee. They have decided to submit resignation letters starting from the 18th if the government does not present a solution to the situation. Considering that the resignation of Seoul National University residents began on the 18th of last month, this measure takes into account that legal effect may occur even if the resignation letters are not accepted after one month. However, the government maintains the position that "even if one month has passed since the resignation, it does not mean the resignation takes effect."

Professors from medical schools other than the 19 mentioned have also announced plans for collective action. The faculty of Dong-A University Medical School formed a council the day before and agreed to respond collectively. The faculty of Gyeongsang National University Medical School also resolved to submit resignation letters in protest against the government's sanctions on residents and medical students. Additionally, professors from Chungbuk National University Medical School and Chungbuk National University Hospital plan to hold a vote on whether to resign after gathering opinions over the coming weekend.

The government's stance remains firm. Expressing concern that "recent news of medical school professors forming emergency committees and discussing collective action is increasing public anxiety," the government emphasized its intention to respond according to law and principles.

At the same time, the government is urging a return to the field in the form of an appeal. On the previous day, Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, encouraged the normalization of medical school academics and asked professors to remain on site. During a meeting with the president and dean of Gachon University Medical School in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, the Deputy Prime Minister said, "I hope you will promptly resume classes so that students can focus on their studies again," adding, "If even medical school professors leave the field, public health and safety will be seriously threatened."

The National Council of Presidents of National Universities, composed of presidents from 10 national flagship universities (Kangwon National University, Kyungpook National University, Gyeongsang National University, Pusan National University, Seoul National University, Chonnam National University, Jeonbuk National University, Jeju University, Chungnam National University, and Chungbuk National University), also urged medical students who have submitted leave applications to return to classrooms and continue their studies, and called on residents who have left and professors intending to join them to show wise judgment. Currently, universities and general hospitals that have filled the vacancies left by residents with professors are entering emergency management systems due to a decrease in patients.

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