Government Opens Path for Residents' Resignation, from 'No Acceptance of Resignation Letters' to 'Review of Acceptance'... Residents Gain Confidence to Return

The government has expressed its intention to withdraw the order prohibiting the acceptance of resignation letters from residents, drawing attention to whether this could open the way to resolving the ongoing three-month-long conflict between the medical community and the government. Residents who have left are unable to re-employ at other hospitals despite submitting resignation letters due to the government's 'prohibition on acceptance of resignation letters' order issued to hospitals to prevent collective resignation of residents. If the government withdraws this order, residents will have an exit route as they can be hired as general physicians at other hospitals. The government is also considering measures to exempt administrative sanctions against the departing residents, and this proactive change in attitude is analyzed to stem from confidence in residents' return.

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According to the government and medical circles on the 4th, the government discussed a plan to induce residents' return by withdrawing the 'prohibition on acceptance of resignation letters' order and opening an exit route for residents as a solution to the issue of departing residents.

Jeon Byeong-wang, the 1st Controller of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at the briefing on doctors' collective action held by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters the day before, "Regarding the review of acceptance of resignation letters, we are currently discussing it within the government by reflecting residents' opinions heard through hospital directors' meetings and various channels," adding, "A decision will be made soon." Among the residents' demands, except for the 'cancellation of increase in medical school admissions,' other matters are being reflected in policy, and the withdrawal of the 'prohibition on acceptance of resignation letters' is also being reviewed along with demands to withdraw various orders against residents.

Earlier, the Korean Intern Resident Association had demanded seven items from the government, including a complete cancellation of the essential medical policy package and medical school admissions increase, establishment of a medical supply estimation organization, expansion of specialist personnel in training hospitals, alleviation of legal burdens related to medical accidents, improvement of residents' training environment, full withdrawal of unfair orders targeting residents, and complete abolition of work commencement orders. However, since the medical school admission quota for the 2025 academic year has already been confirmed, the government explained that it cannot accept the cancellation of the medical school admissions increase but intends to accept most of the other demands.

The change in attitude from the existing principle of 'prohibition on acceptance of resignation letters' to 'acceptance of resignation letters' is interpreted as an active response to the medical community's demand for a 'change in attitude.'

The National Emergency Committee of Medical School Professors (Jeon-ui-bi) lamented at a press conference on the 24th of last month, "The government has not withdrawn various orders against residents and is not accepting resignation letters. Without a change in the government's attitude, residents and students cannot return to the medical field." The government's current review of withdrawing the 'prohibition on acceptance of resignation letters' appears to be a response to the suggestion that 'a change in the government's attitude is necessary for residents' return.'

At the same time, this is also interpreted as an expression of confidence in residents' return. With the admission quota for next year already confirmed, residents have lost justification for further collective action, and since the goal of increasing medical school admissions was not to punish residents, it is time for the government to focus on opening an exit route for them with a flexible attitude rather than a hardline stance.

In particular, the remaining task in the phase of increasing medical school admissions is residents' return. The government expects that lifting the existing order prohibiting acceptance of resignation letters and allowing hospital directors to have the authority to accept resignation letters will be more helpful for residents' return than urging residents to return through principled responses such as judicial processing.

The former controller said, "Through on-site meetings, there have been opinions and requests that if hospital directors have the authority to process resignation letters, they can make efforts to bring residents back, so we are reviewing this." He added, "Hospital directors believe that if they have the authority to accept resignation letters, they can bring back a significant number of residents, so they are expected to actively play a role in bringing residents back." If the order prohibiting acceptance of resignation letters is withdrawn at each hospital, hospital directors will persuade residents to return as much as possible through consultations, and if residents cannot continue training due to various circumstances, they can also process resignations. This flexible attitude is analyzed to stem from confidence.

Professor Jeong Hyeong-seon of the Department of Health Administration at Yonsei University pointed out, "Residents left in opposition to the increase in medical school admissions, but with the increase confirmed, the collective action opposing the increase has lost its meaning," adding, "The government has announced measures such as reducing continuous working hours for residents, so there is nothing more to demand regarding training environment improvements requested by residents." He continued, "Now residents have no choice but to return, and the government's message to minimize disadvantages depending on the timing of return shows confidence," and said, "The administrative sanctions that the government mentioned as part of a 'carrot and stick' approach were not the goal themselves, so now it seems the government wants to be flexible."

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