Director of National Medical Center: "Residents Must Return... Medical School Professors' Resignation Decisions Are Desperate"

Joo Young-soo, director of the National Medical Center, stated on the 17th, "The threat to the health and lives of our patients caused by the collective action of residents is at a very serious level," and earnestly requested, "I sincerely ask all residents to return to the patients as soon as possible."

On the same day, Director Joo held an emergency press conference at the research building of the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, titled "Emergency Press Conference on the Statement by the Council of Medical Specialists," expressing disagreement with the contents of the statement. Medical specialists are doctors who have completed residency training such as interns and residents and have obtained specialist qualifications in specific fields like internal medicine or surgery.

Earlier, on the 15th, the Council of Medical Specialists of the National Medical Center issued a statement declaring, "The government is the main instigator of the current situation," and "We firmly support the residents by standing on their side in this situation." They also stated, "We will not stand idly by if residents suffer disadvantages."

Director Joo explained that he urgently arranged the press conference out of concern that the statement might be perceived as the position of the entire medical institution.

In his statement, Director Joo said, "I express deep regret and concern over the fact that a statement was issued under the name of the National Medical Center, which holds a significant position and weight in our society, without consensus among all members, and that it mentioned irrational responses."

Juyeongsoo, Director of the National Medical Center, is expressing his position at a press conference regarding the statement of the Specialist Council held at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 17th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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Director Joo also expressed concern about medical school professors deciding to submit their resignations and leave clinical practice. He said regarding the professors who resolved to resign collectively, "It is no different from taking collective action by holding patients' health and lives hostage," and added, "It is a desperate situation when medical school professors, who are at the pinnacle among doctors, say this." Most medical school professors are specialists who have completed residency training and become faculty members.

Director Joo said, "(Professors) should, under any circumstances, continue dialogue and persuasion to ensure that residents and the government can resolve the issue amicably," and added, "Given the current situation where all citizens are watching the medical community, I believe this is highly inappropriate."

He expressed support for increasing the number of medical students. Director Joo said, "Hospitals, especially public medical institutions, feel the shortage of doctors on the ground," and added, "While opinions may vary depending on the scale, when public medical institution directors meet, there is no disagreement about increasing medical school admissions."

Joo Young-su, Director of the National Medical Center
Photo by Yonhap News

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He said, "An increase of 2,000 students is a policy that the government, responsible for the health and well-being of the people, can certainly implement," and added, "There may be differing opinions on the scale, but once a major policy direction is presented, it is rational and democratic to express individual opinions through a normal policy improvement process."

He continued, "In the process of persuasion, there are roles and positions for the government, experts, and public medical institutions," and said, "It is appropriate to solve problems through such a process, and the attitude of refusing to engage in dialogue if our opinions are not accepted through collective action is problematic."

Following the collective resignation of residents, the National Medical Center has been operating an emergency medical system during nights and holidays after the Ministry of Health and Welfare raised the health care disaster crisis alert level to 'serious.' Outpatient clinic hours have been extended to 8 p.m., and clinics operate from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. even on holidays. The emergency room continues to operate 24 hours as usual.

Currently, the National Medical Center has 102 specialists, and the resident quota is 71. As of the 15th of this month, 55 out of 71 residents have resigned. The hospital has 499 beds and is currently operating at about 40% capacity, focusing on critically ill patients.

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