Seoul National University Medical School Emergency Committee "529 Professors Participate in Work Stoppage"... Surgery Operation Rate Expected to Halve

90.3% Support for Closure
"Appointment Rescheduling Completed"
"Even if Closed, Severe and Rare Disease Patients Receive Care... Not to Harm Patients"

From the 17th, 529 professors at Seoul National University Hospital will participate in a full strike. More than half of the professors involved in medical care will be on strike, and the operating room utilization rate is also expected to be halved.

On the 16th, the Emergency Response Committee of Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital (Seoul National University College of Medicine ERC) announced the results of a survey by clinical departments on the strike participation status of professors at Seoul National University Hospital, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul Metropolitan Boramae Hospital, and Gangnam Center.

Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

According to the survey, 529 professors implemented outpatient clinic strikes or reductions, and postponed regular surgery, procedures, and examination schedules from the 17th to the 22nd. This corresponds to 54.7% of all professors (967) involved in medical care.

The expected operating room utilization rate is projected to drop from the existing 62.7% to 33.5%. All 20 clinical departments that participated in the survey plan to join the strike.

Including the 529 professors participating in the strike, a total of 873 professors, accounting for 90.3% of all professors, expressed their support for the strike by submitting a statement demanding respect for the medical community and the establishment of proper medical policies.

The Seoul National University College of Medicine ERC explained, "Changes to medical appointments due to the strike are being communicated to patients either by the professors themselves or with the support of the ERC," adding, "So far, all requests for support received by the ERC have been completed, including appointment changes and patient notifications."

Earlier, the Seoul National University College of Medicine ERC announced that unless the government completely cancels the administrative disciplinary procedures imposed on residents, all medical departments except essential units such as emergency rooms and intensive care units will begin an indefinite full strike starting on the 17th.

In response, Kim Young-tae, director of Seoul National University Hospital, said, "An indefinite strike could cause significant safety issues beyond the inconvenience to patients who trust and visit our hospital," and added, "We will not permit a collective strike."

Kang Hee-kyung, chairperson of the Seoul National University College of Medicine ERC, sent a message to the professors and the hospital director on the same day to explain the criteria and purpose of the strike participation.

Chairperson Kang stated, "This full strike is a cry directed at policymakers, not intended to harm patients," and added, "We will consider those who adjusted patient appointment schedules based on their judgment as participating in the strike." She also requested, "For severe and rare patients who can only be treated at Seoul National University Hospital, please make judgments to avoid harming patients by adjusting treatment schedules," and urged, "Please ensure that the treatment of severe, emergency, and rare disease patients is not disrupted during the strike period."

She expressed understanding of Director Kim’s concerns, saying, "I fully sympathize with your concern that if over 90% of professors support the strike, the public might doubt whether those who are professors at Seoul National University Hospital are qualified as professors of the national central hospital and a representative public hospital," but emphasized, "The high participation rate is because our concept of a 'full strike' differs from what outsiders think."

She continued, "It is not a complete suspension of medical care but a halt to regular outpatient clinics and scheduled surgeries for patients whose treatment can be provided at other hospitals or whose treatment can be postponed without significant impact for the time being," explaining, "Because we will continue to treat patients with severe and rare diseases who absolutely need care during the strike, the actual reduction in medical services will be about 40%."

She added, "Although some people may currently feel uncomfortable or displeased with the professors at Seoul National University Hospital, I believe the public will eventually understand that what the professors are advocating is to set our country's medical system right."

The Seoul National University College of Medicine ERC plans to hold a symposium titled "The Death of a Group of Experts" on the 17th, the first day of the strike.

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