[Summary] Medical Association's Controversy Over 'Revoking Doctors' Licenses for Violent Crimes' and Threat of Total Strike Over 'Vaccine Hostage'

Conflict over Medical License Revocation Law... Korean Medical Association Opposes
KMA "Will Hinder COVID-19 Response Including Vaccine Cooperation"
Ruling Party "Cannot Allow Hostage of Public Health"

The Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute in Gwangjin-gu, where the medical practical exam was held. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The Korean Medical Association (KMA) is strongly opposing the amendment to the Medical Service Act, which passed the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, that suspends or revokes the licenses of doctors sentenced to imprisonment or higher.

On the 20th, Choi Dae-jip, president of the KMA, emphasized in a statement by the presidents of city and provincial medical associations nationwide, "If a general strike occurs, there will inevitably be gaps in vaccine administration and treatment."

On the afternoon of the 21st, at the Korea Health Promotion Institute in Jung-gu, Seoul, Choi Dae-jip, the president of the Korean Medical Association, is speaking at the 2nd meeting of the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Joint Committee.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Some critics have harshly condemned this, suggesting it is effectively a threat to the public by holding 'vaccine administration' hostage. They argue it is an extreme response that abandons professional ethics.

Earlier, on the 19th, the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee held a plenary session and passed the amendment to the Medical Service Act. The key point is that doctors sentenced to imprisonment or higher will have their licenses revoked for five years.

Additionally, those who commit sexual crimes against minors will be prohibited from obtaining medical licenses, and if a medical professional commits such crimes, their license will be revoked and permanently stripped. However, if a medical professional commits a crime of professional negligence causing death or injury during medical practice, even if sentenced to imprisonment or higher, their license will not be revoked. The amendment is scheduled to be submitted to the plenary session after passing through the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

The medical community is strongly opposing this. They claim it treats doctors as potential criminals. However, currently, other professionals such as certified public accountants and judicial scriveners who are sentenced to imprisonment or higher also have their licenses revoked for the periods specified in the amendment.

Moreover, the amendment excludes cases of professional negligence causing death or injury during medical practice from license revocation to prevent medical practice from being hindered. It also allows for reissuance of licenses after the revocation period ends.

On the afternoon of the 21st, at the Korea Health Promotion Institute in Jung-gu, Seoul, during the 2nd meeting of the COVID-19 Vaccination Policy Joint Committee, Choi Dae-jip, President of the Korean Medical Association, is conversing with attendees before the meeting begins.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Nevertheless, KMA President Choi Dae-jip announced, "We will discuss protest methods such as a complete halt to COVID-19 vaccine administration."

Civilians have expressed incomprehension. Kim, a company employee in his 40s, said, "Isn't this behavior shameless in the literal sense?" He raised his voice, saying, "It is effectively threatening the public with the COVID-19 vaccine and intimidating the National Assembly." He added, "I hope doctors do not forget that they are servants to the people."

Another office worker in his 30s, Lee, said, "Who would want to entrust their body to a doctor who is a sexual offender?" He expressed frustration, saying, "This is not a political issue but a matter of common sense versus nonsense."

There have been ongoing criticisms that it is unreasonable for medical professionals who have committed serious or sexual crimes to continue medical activities without license revocation despite being punished.

According to data from last year's National Assembly audit, 2,867 doctors committed one of the four major crimes such as murder or robbery in the past five years. 613 doctors committed sexual crimes. However, most are known to have retained their licenses. This is why there are criticisms that doctors enjoy unfair privileges.

On the afternoon of the 17th, at a press conference held in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, titled 'Press Conference Urging the Protection of Medical Personnel to Overcome the COVID-19 Crisis,' Choi Dae-jip, the president of the Korean Medical Association, is reading the press statement. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The ruling party has stated it will respond firmly to the medical community's threat of a general strike using the 'vaccine' as leverage. On the 21st, the Democratic Party of Korea said regarding the medical community's opposition to the 'Medical Service Act amendment' under legislative procedures in the National Assembly, "The public will not tolerate the doctors' association's attempt to maintain impunity for serious crimes by holding public health hostage."

Shin Young-dae, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, criticized in a written statement that day, "The public is shocked by the Korean Medical Association and other medical groups issuing statements under slogans like 'revenge law to kill doctors' and 'stop COVID-19 vaccine administration.'"

Spokesperson Shin reiterated criticism, saying, "We deeply regret the selfish remarks of the doctors' association that first cause disillusionment to the public's expectations for next week's vaccine administration and the countless efforts of the government and medical professionals."

Shin added, "Medical professionals should first voice self-reflection regarding the reality that they rank first and second in annual statistics of sexual crimes among professionals," and stated, "Without any self-reflection, threatening to halt vaccine administration to the suffering public due to COVID-19 and trying to maintain unreasonable privileges will never be tolerated."

Furthermore, the government urged the medical community to actively cooperate in vaccine administration. Kwon Deok-cheol, Minister of Health and Welfare, said, "The government aims to achieve herd immunity by the end of November and will proceed with vaccine administration without disruption," and requested, "We ask the medical community representatives?the KMA, the Korean Hospital Association, and the Korean Nurses Association?to actively support this effort."