Tomorrow's Korean Medical Association Strike... What About Urgent Patients?

President Choi Dae-jip of the Medical Association holds a press conference opposing the expansion of medical school quotas in front of the National Assembly on the 23rd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 14th, it is understood that one out of five medical institutions, including local clinics, will be closed due to the collective strike by the Korean Medical Association.

Kim Heon-ju, Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated at a press briefing on the 13th, "As of 2 p.m. yesterday, out of 33,031 medical institutions, 7,039, or 21.3%, reported closures."

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has coordinated with the Korean Hospital Association and the Korean Association of Small and Medium Hospitals to operate 24-hour emergency rooms and to ensure extended and weekend medical services on the 14th.

Medical institutions providing services on the day can be checked on the websites of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the National Health Insurance Service, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, and each city and province.

Emergency medical situations will also be shared through the Emergency Medical Portal and smartphone applications (apps). The Ministry and local governments have set up 24-hour emergency medical situation rooms to prepare for urgent situations.

However, doctors engaged in life-critical duties such as emergency rooms, intensive care units, dialysis rooms, and delivery rooms will not participate in the collective strike.

Director Kim said, "The Medical Association is also making efforts to minimize the impact on essential medical services such as emergency rooms," but added, "However, outpatient services may experience longer waiting times and some inconvenience."

The government has taken measures to issue work commencement orders in regions where many medical institutions are partially closed if it is expected that the public’s life and safety will be at risk.

On the same day, Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, emphasized in a public address, "If illegal acts during the collective strike cause harm to patients' health and safety, we will respond according to law and principles."