Healthcare Organizations "If the Nursing Act Passes in the National Assembly, We Will Launch a General Strike"

On the afternoon of the 16th, 13 health and medical organizations, including the Korean Medical Association and the Korean Licensed Practical Nurses Association, held a "4 Million Health and Welfare Medical Solidarity General Strike Rally to Stop the Nursing Act and License Revocation Act" near Seoul City Hall, demanding the withdrawal of the Nursing Act bill.

The organizations claimed, "The Nursing Act, which infringes on the work areas of minor professions such as licensed practical nurses, emergency medical technicians, clinical pathologists, radiologists, and care workers, is a harmful medical law, a special privilege law for nurses, and a professional interest law backed by the legislative dictatorship of the major opposition party."

Several thousand participants in the rally warned that they would launch a general strike if the Nursing Act passes in the National Assembly, then marched to Seoul Station Plaza.

The Nursing Act bill separates nursing-related content from the current Medical Service Act, clarifies the duties of nurses, advanced practice nurses, and licensed practical nurses, and specifies the state's responsibility for improving working conditions and treatment.

Doctors have opposed the bill, arguing that it could allow nurses to open medical institutions independently, leading to ongoing conflicts among health and medical professions. The Democratic Party of Korea attempted to put the Nursing Act bill to a vote in the National Assembly plenary session on the 13th but postponed it for the time being. The opposition party plans to make another attempt to pass the bill at the plenary session on the 27th.