Resident Return Deadline D-1... Yoon Declares "No Compromise" in Hardline Stance

Presidential Office: "Government Decides on Healthcare Workforce Supply and Demand"
"Not a Matter for the Respective Profession to Negotiate"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is making closing remarks at the 6th Central-Local Cooperation Meeting held on the 27th at the Blue House State Guest House.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Presidential Office maintained its stance that "after the 29th, actions will be taken according to law and principles," as the deadline for the return of resident doctors who left hospitals approaches.

On the 28th, a senior official from the Presidential Office emphasized in a phone interview with Asia Economy that "doctors must return to their patients." The official reiterated that "the number of doctors in the country is far below the average of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and the increase of 2,000 medical school quotas is the minimum scale necessary."

The previous day, President Yoon Suk-yeol stated at the 6th Central-Local Cooperation Meeting that "engaging in collective actions that hold the public hostage and threaten the lives and safety of the people cannot be justified under any pretext," and firmly declared that "medical reform cannot be subject to negotiation or compromise."

President Yoon further intensified his remarks regarding the commitment to medical reform. Citing Article 36, Clause 3 of the Constitution, which stipulates the state's duty to protect public health, he indicated that medical reform will proceed as planned. He emphasized that "the increase of 2,000 medical school quotas is the minimum essential measure to fulfill the state's constitutional duty."

Although the government set the final deadline for resident doctors' return as the 29th, the medical community's lack of response suggests that legal actions will be actively pursued. Applications for medical school quota increases from all medical schools nationwide will also be accepted as scheduled until March 4. The government has completed legal reviews for judicial processing of those who do not return by the 29th. This implies that procedures such as license suspension and investigations will follow.

Another Presidential Office official stated during a morning briefing that regarding the possibility of reducing the 2,000 medical school quota increase, "Regarding the supply and demand of healthcare personnel, constitutionally and legally, the government is responsible for making decisions." The official added, "While opinions on the exact number needed based on future healthcare workforce demand and supply can be heard, the responsibility for the decision lies with the state, and it is not a matter for negotiation with the relevant professions."