Government: "All Resident Doctors' Demands Except 'Medical School Expansion Cancellation' Will Be Reflected in Policy"

Request to Abolish Work Commencement Order Also "Under Internal Review"

The government announced on the 3rd that it is reflecting institutional improvements, excluding demands such as the 'complete cancellation of medical school expansion,' among the seven demands presented by the resident doctors' group, in its policies.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jeon Byeong-wang, the 1st Controller of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at the briefing on the doctors' collective action held by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, "Now is the time for resident doctors to make wise decisions based on their individual intentions."

The seven demands previously made by the Korean Intern Resident Association were ▲ complete cancellation of the essential medical policy package and medical school expansion plan ▲ establishment of a scientific physician supply and demand estimation body ▲ expansion of specialist recruitment at training hospitals ▲ alleviation of legal burdens for unavoidable medical accidents ▲ improvement of resident training environment ▲ full withdrawal of unfair orders targeting residents ▲ complete abolition of work commencement orders.

Controller Jeon stated, "The establishment of a body for scientific physician supply and demand estimation is being actively discussed by the Medical Workforce Expert Committee of the Medical Reform Special Committee, focusing on periodic supply and demand systems, adjustment methods, and governance for medical personnel."

He also explained, "Legal measures regarding medical accidents have been drafted under the 'Special Act on Medical Accident Handling,' and in-depth social discussions are ongoing within the Medical Reform Special Committee." He added that efforts are also accelerating to improve the 'poor resident training environment' and to increase the number of specialists.

Regarding the 'full withdrawal of unfair orders targeting residents' and 'complete abolition of work commencement orders,' internal reviews are also underway.

Controller Jeon said, "Among the seven demands of the residents, the parts concerning the withdrawal of various orders are being reviewed together with issues such as the withdrawal of the prohibition on resignation letter processing," and added, "A decision will be made promptly."

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