Professor Jeong Hyeong-seon of Yonsei University: "The medical community's indefinite collective strike has lost its justification... It is almost in a lull"

"Medical school quotas already confirmed"
"The issue of low number of residents must be resolved"

On the 22nd, medical staff were moving at a large hospital in Seoul where some former residents who had left the hospital along with residents in protest against the increase in medical school admissions returned. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Following the indefinite suspension of strikes by professors at Seoul National University Hospital on the 21st, professors at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital and Samsung Medical Center also decided to postpone their strikes on the 25th, leading to claims that the internal momentum of the medical community's collective action is waning. Professor Jeong Hyeong-seon of Yonsei University's Department of Health Administration argued that the indefinite collective strike is "already in a lull."

On the 26th, during an appearance on YTN Radio's 'News Fighting with Bae Seung-hee,' Professor Jeong stated, "Since the medical school quota has already been finalized, the strike lacks both justification and practical benefit."

Regarding why residents have not returned, Professor Jeong pointed out, "Until now, they seemed to believe that by making efforts, they would acquire the skills of specialists and be guaranteed higher income," adding, "With the increase in medical school admissions, they think competition among doctors will intensify and their income will decrease."

He continued, "Residents earn about 80 million won annually, which is quite poor considering the hours they put in." Since specialists earn about three to four times more than residents, they also feel a relative sense of deprivation. Professor Jeong emphasized, "Residents in specialties with relatively fewer patients, such as pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology, likely feel this relative deprivation as well, and these issues need to be addressed."

Regarding the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee holding a hearing on the 26th about the emergency situation in the medical community, including the collective strike, Professor Jeong said, "Among residents and doctors, there is a hopeful attitude," and explained, "Some resolution of the medical-government issues is necessary to create an opportunity for residents to return."

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