Over 10,000 Residents Resign... Government Says "No Accountability If They Return by the 29th" (Comprehensive)

9006 Residents Leave Hospitals
Final Ultimatum Urging Government Return
"Recognizing Seriousness... Last Appeal"
Ministry of Education Emphasizes Government's Will to Increase Medical School Quotas

The government set the 29th as the deadline for resident doctors who have entered a collective strike to return to work. This can be seen as a de facto final ultimatum amid evaluations that the medical crisis caused by the collective resignation of residents opposing the increase in medical school admissions will reach a turning point this week. The Ministry of Education also firmly stated that there are "no plans to delay or adjust" the deadline for medical school admission increase applications scheduled for the 4th of next month.

However, the departure of residents continues. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for the doctors' collective action, as of 7 p.m. on the 23rd, a written inspection of 100 major training hospitals revealed that 10,034 residents, about 80.5% of the affiliated residents, have submitted resignation letters. Additionally, it was confirmed that 9,006 residents, 72.3% of the affiliated residents, have left their workplaces.

On the 23rd, when the medical alert level was raised to severe, outpatient care at Seoul Red Cross Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was proceeding normally without any departure of residents. However, the current number of patient visits remains similar to the level before the resident crisis. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

"Collective action exacerbates confusion in medical sites... Voices are effectively conveyed when beside patients"

In response, the government set the 29th as the final deadline for residents who have stopped working to return. Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 26th, "The government is fully aware of the seriousness of the current situation and makes a final appeal," adding, "If you return to the hospitals you left by the 29th, we will not hold you accountable for past responsibilities."

Minister Lee said, "The collective action of residents has intensified confusion in medical sites, and threats to patients' lives and health are becoming a reality," adding, "Dangerous situations are occurring in emergency medical settings." He emphasized to the residents, "Please remember that your voices are louder and more effectively conveyed when you are beside the patients."

He particularly mentioned, "As part of measures to maintain hospitals' patient care functions, a pilot project for medical support personnel will begin," and "Through this, it is expected that the scope of work performed by nurses on site can be more clearly defined."

Reflecting demands to clearly define nurses' work scope, the government also promised to establish a protection system for nurses. This measure considers that after residents began collective action, nurses such as physician assistant (PA) nurses have been forced to take on residents' duties in medical sites. Minister Lee said, "These measures have limitations in filling the gap left by residents," and urged, "The hospitals you left are full of anxiety and worry. Please return to the sites you have protected day and night with sweat and blood and engage in dialogue for a better medical environment."

Minister Lee stated, "Public support is the greatest driving force in promoting the '4 Major Essential Medical Packages,' including the expansion of medical personnel," and "We will devote ourselves to minimizing confusion in medical sites while prioritizing the lives and health of the people." He added, "The 4 Major Essential Medical Packages are intended to create better medical environments and conditions for you and to save regional and essential medical care in crisis."

On the 23rd, the fourth consecutive day of resignations among residents at major hospitals, a patient is entering the emergency room at a large hospital's emergency care center in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Despite opinions on increasing admissions, no plan to delay... Committee formed to begin allocation work

However, the government's determination regarding the increase in medical school admissions was clearly conveyed. Regarding the discussion among deans of 40 medical schools nationwide about requesting the government to postpone the application period, which ends on the 4th of next month, the Ministry of Education stated that there are no plans to change the application period.

A Ministry of Education official said at a regular briefing, "There has been no official request to postpone the admission increase application period yet," but added, "Even if opinions come in, there are no plans to change the application period." He further explained, "Once each university completes their admission increase applications, we will form an allocation committee with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and others, aiming to allocate by the end of March," adding, "Since the situation regarding medical school facilities has not changed, we expect more than 2,000 applications."

First, the Ministry of Education plans to form a committee responsible for allocating the increase in admissions by medical school. The committee will include experts from various fields in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and others.

The principle of 'increasing medical school admissions by 2,000' was reiterated. A Ministry of Education official said, "2,000 is the number that meets the changing demand for doctors and can solve current problems such as emergency room rotation and shortages in basic medical fields," adding, "The government views 2,000 as an essential number."

However, the residents' actions differ from the government's will. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, as of 7 p.m. on the 23rd, a written inspection of 100 major training hospitals showed that about 80.5% of affiliated residents, 10,034 residents, have submitted resignation letters. This means 8 out of 10 residents have submitted resignation letters.

The number of students applying for leave of absence has also increased. The Ministry of Education announced, "Between the 23rd and 25th, 847 students from 14 of the 40 medical schools nationwide applied for leave of absence, and 64 students from 3 schools withdrew their leave applications." Since the 19th, the total number of leave applicants (excluding those who withdrew) has increased to 12,262, which is 65.4% of all medical students (18,793). Eleven universities were confirmed to have class boycotts. These schools are making efforts to conduct normal academic operations through student counseling and explanations.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho held a meeting with directors of national university hospitals regarding the residents' resignations and doctors' collective actions. He requested cooperation to maintain an emergency medical system focused on severe and emergency care at national university hospitals and explained plans for additional administrative and financial support, including increased fees, to ensure smooth operation of the emergency medical system.

On the 26th, as collective actions by residents caused nationwide medical service disruptions and increased inconvenience, Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Interior and Safety, attended the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. He announced a return deadline of the 29th, stating that those who return by then will not be held accountable. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@