Community Clinic Group Strike Warning... Park Neung-hoo: "Must Resolve Through Dialogue and Consultation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare and the first deputy head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), urged the medical community on the 9th to resolve issues through dialogue and consultation ahead of the collective strike by local clinics scheduled for the 14th.

At a CDSCH briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, Minister Park referred to the medical community's announced collective strike, saying, "Please engage in dialogue and consultation rather than resorting to extreme measures that threaten patients' lives and safety."

The medical community strongly opposed the government's announcement of policies including increasing medical school quotas and establishing public medical schools, leading to a collective strike. On the 7th, residents went on a full strike, and on the 14th, the Korea Medical Association (KMA), centered on private practitioners, announced a strike.

In response, Minister Park emphasized that "expanding medical school quotas is an inevitable choice for improving the healthcare system for the people and for national medical advancement," calling it a "minimum necessary measure" to address the shortage of doctors and regional medical disparities. He added, "Expanding medical school quotas is not simply a process of increasing the number of doctors produced but an opportunity to foster regional healthcare and improve the medical delivery system, thereby advancing our country's health and medical system."

Minister Park also requested the medical community to actively engage in consultations with the government. The government has proposed the formation of a 'Health and Medical Development Council' to discuss major health and medical issues reflecting the demands of the medical community. Minister Park stated, "Please form a communication and consultation body between the government and the medical community and engage in discussions to advance our health and medical system to the next level," adding, "If the medical community has good opinions, we will actively accept them."

Minister Park emphasized to the medical community, "Please refrain from extreme protest methods that threaten the lives and safety of sick and struggling patients, which are unrelated to the issue of medical school quotas, and resolve problems through dialogue and consultation."