Government Files First Complaint Against Current and Former KMA Executives

by Hwang Yoonju

Published 27 Feb.2024 19:03(KST)

Updated 27 Feb.2024 19:15(KST)

In the Medical Crisis Phase, 'Principled Response' Gains Momentum

On the 27th, as collective actions by residents increased nationwide inconvenience due to medical service gaps, Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, attended and spoke at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters video meeting on doctors' collective actions held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

The government filed a complaint with the police against officials of the Korea Medical Association (KMA) on the 27th. This is the first case of doctors being reported amid the current medical crisis. The government's emphasized 'principled response' is expected to be fully implemented.

According to the government and police on the 27th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare filed complaints with the police against five individuals related to the KMA's emergency committee that afternoon.

The accused include Kim Taek-woo, chairman of the KMA emergency committee; Joo Soo-ho, chairman of the KMA emergency committee's media and public relations; Park Myung-ha, chairman of the emergency committee's organizational reinforcement; Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Pediatric Society; and Noh Hwan-gyu, former president of the KMA. In addition, the Ministry of Health and Welfare also filed a complaint against an 'unknown person' who posted inciting messages online.

The charges brought by the Ministry include violation of the Medical Service Act Articles 59 and 88 regarding orders to commence work, obstruction of business under the Criminal Act, as well as instigation and aiding and abetting. The Ministry believes that these individuals instigated and aided the collective action by supporting and legally backing the collective resignation of resident doctors.

Accordingly, the disruption of the training hospitals where the residents belong is also a reason for this complaint. With this filing, the government's 'principled response' to the doctors' collective action is expected to be fully activated.

The government has requested that the resident doctors return to work by the 29th of this month, stating, "From March, suspension of licenses and legal proceedings against those who do not return will be unavoidable."